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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 






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MEMOIR 



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|lei &xmmm |. ^. JIi^SBmger, 



m:issionary oe the protestant episcopal church 
in africa. 



Rev. S. H. TYNG, D.D. 




AMERICAN SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION, 

No. 31G CHESTNUT STREET. 

NEW YORK: No. 147 NASSAU ST. 

BOSTON: No. 9 CORNHILL CINCINNATI: 41 WEST FOURTH ST, 

LOUISVILLE: No. 103 FOURTH ST. 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by the 
AMERICAN SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION, 

in the Clerks Office of the District Court of the Eastern District of 

Pennsylvania. 



J^^ No books are published by the American Sunday-School Union 
witJwut the sanction of the Committee of Publication, consisting of four- 
teen members, from the following denominations of Christians, viz. Bap- 
tist, Methodist, Congregational, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and 
Reformed Dutch. Not more than three of the members can be of the same 
(lenmnination, and no book can be published to which any member offlm 
Committee shall object. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 
Early Life and Occupation 7 



CHAPTER II. 
Kemoval to Philadelphia 20 

CHAPTER III. 
Early Religious Character 27 

CHAPTER IV. 
Journal and Letters 37 

CHAPTER V, 
Journal continued— Commences Teaching 63 

CHAPTER VL 
Sunday-School Labours 78 

1^^ 5 



b CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER VII. ^^^^ 

Preparation for the Ministry 105 

CHAPTER VIII. 
Theological Studies 119 

CHAPTER IX. 
Ordination and Ministry 149 

CHAPTER X. 
Missionary Life in Africa 170 

CHAPTER XI. 
His Sickness and Death 214 



MEMOIR. 



CHAPTER I. 

EARLY LIFE AND OCCUPATION. 

James Messinger, as lie was always called, 
was the eldest son of Horace and Olive 
Messinger, of Wrentliam, Massachusetts. 
He was born June 28, 1811. His parents 
were in respectable circumstances but with 
a small amount of earthly wealth, and his 
early days were not passed in luxury, though 
with sufficient comforts for his own advan- 
tage. He had not that precious privilege 
either, which so many others have enjoyed, 
of parental piety. Neither of his parents at 
the time of his birth was a professed mem- 
ber of the church of Christ. He was thu?^ 
deprived of a blessing which it is impossible 
to value too highly. To have been the child 
of those who have loved and worshipped 

7 



8 MEMOIR OF 

God, and whose personal piety has been the 
guide and the bright example for their off- 
spring, is certainly one of the most precious 
blessings in the life of man. To neglect or 
abuse such a privilege as this, must always 
make our responsibility and our guilt ex- 
ceeding great. Sad is.the condition of those 
who were the children of parental faith and 
prayer, and yet have themselves rejected the 
blessed hope of the gospel which was so 
faithfully set before them. Many who have 
never enjoyed such means of heavenly bene- 
fit will rise up in the judgment with them 
to condemn them. With far less advan- 
tages, they have found and received a king- 
dom which these, with such precious oppor- 
tunities, have still despised and lost. 

This great privilege was not given to 
James Messinger. His parents endeavoured 
to instil into their children's minds the 
purest principles of morality. They taught 
them to discharge uprightly and faithfully 
the duties of their present earthly relations. 
But they did not lead them in the way ever- 
lasting, or bring them in prayer and in- 
struction to the Saviour's feet. In their 
^efforts to educate their children according to 



JAMES MES'SINGER. \) 

their own knowledge of that which was 
right, they succeeded so far that their house- 
hold was restrained from outward and gross 
sins. And this outward good conduct w^as 
an advantage to be remembered with grati- 
tude. But God was very gracious to this 
family in subsequent years. Others of them, 
beside the subject of this memoir, were 
brought by the Holy Spirit to a knowledge 
of the Saviour's truth and to an enjoyment 
of his favour. The Lord was pleased to 
choose them for his own, aud to guide their 
feet into his ways of peace and hoUness, 
though they had not been early taught his 
grace and love to the little ones whom he 
has redeemed. In this he displayed the 
riches of his grace, for which they had 
reason to praise him with thankful hearts. 
Yet we must never forget to prize that early 
Christian training which may lead a j^outh, 
like Timothy, to give his heart to the Lord, 
and to love those Holy Scriptures which 
God hath given to make him wise unto 
salvation from his earliest days. 

The childhood and youth of James Mes- 
singer were not particularly marked by any 
unusual events. He was an amiable, quiet 



10 MEMOIR OF 

boy, gentle and clieerfal in liis disposition, 
never rude or boisterous. He seldom joined 
in the rough plays of his companions. He 
was very fond of books, and preferred the 
society of his mother and sisters to that of 
boys of his own age. His mother, who sur- 
vived him, and who became a professed 
Christian after he had left her habitation, 
says of him, that his general deportment, 
even in his earliest childhood, was so cor- 
rect, that he seldom needed correction of 
any kind. He was addicted to no youthful 
vice. He maintained a strict regard for 
truth, and was never known to tell a false- 
hood even to screen himself from censure. 

At a subsequent period of his life, when 
reviewing his own youthful days, he says of 
himself: ''In looking back over my past 
life, I think I can see the hand of God very 
evidently. During my younger days, al- 
though wicked enough, no doubt, I was 
kept from falling into most of the grosser 
forms of sin. Swearing, in particular, — a 
habit so prevalent among boys at that time, — 
I never indulged in, except for one short 
period, when I was led away by the example 
of an older boy who was awfully addicted to 



JAMES MESSINGER. 11 

it. I was diffident about it at first. But I 
soon got over that, and could utter an oath 
freely, ^j the faithful counsels of a friend, 
however, I left it off before it had gained so 
strong a hold as to become a habit." 

He early manifested a taste for music and 
for drawing. His little room was decorated 
with the productions of his own pencil. 
For a long time several little books were 
preserved in the family, which he and a 
cousin of his own age had filled with fancy 
sketches and landscapes of their own draw- 
ing. These little productions exhibited un- 
usual accuracy and skill, although he had 
never received any instruction in the art. 
To gratify his taste for music, his mother 
purchased a flute for him, and on this he 
learned to play with but little iiistruction 
from others. These recreations became 
sources of much pleasure and usefulness to 
him in his subsequent life. He delighted 
so much in music that he afterwards had 
many doubts whether he ought not to aban- 
don it entirely, as an amusement too ab- 
sorbing and unprofitable. 

His fondness for books led him to pass 
much of his leisure time in reading. The 



12 * MEMOIR OF 

circumstances of his family required all of 
its members to fulfil some part of the daily 
work of the household. But, though he was 
never unwilling to do what was required of 
him, he would sometimes allow his brother 
to perform his little required task of out- 
door labour, that he might remain unmo- 
lested with his books. In his reading he 
had a useful taste. He took no pleasure in 
novels or fictitious stories, but he particu- 
larly^ delighted in biographies, travels, and 
histories. Before he was fourteen years 
old he had read several large volumes of 
history, both ancient and modern, and a 
number of works of general literature. He 
was sent to school when he was quite young, 
and he progressed with much rapidity in 
his studies. He was so docile, obedient, 
quick of apprehension, and so persevering, 
that it was a pleasure to others to teach 
him. He was never willing to leave any of 
his subjects of study until he thoroughly 
understood them. Thus he made the most 
of his limited opportunities ; and, though 
he had no advantages but those of a com- 
mon country school, he gained far more 
than boys usually do by his faithful im- 



JAMES MESSINGER. 13 

provement of all the means of learning 
within his reach. 

After the death of his father, a gentle- 
man, under whose instruction James had 
been for a single term, became so much in- 
terested in his character and progress that 
he expressed a great desire for his complete 
education. But the accomplishment of this 
seemed impossible until another friend, 
who felt a strong interest in him and his 
family, offered to defray the expense of his 
further education for a longer period than 
any means in their power would allow. He 
was then sent to an academy in Wrentham, 
where he remained at school until he re- 
moved to Philadelphia. ^ 

Thus his early years passed by, in quiet- 
ness and seclusion, and in the diligent ful- 
filment of his youthful duties. There is 
little that is romantic or striking in the 
youthful progress of such a boj^, but it is 
the surest education for future usefulness. 
There are no traits of character in a boy 
more promising than the patient, cheer- 
ful, assiduous performance of the regular 
though retired duties of his youth, and a 
faithful attention to the claims of his own 
2 



14 MBMOIK OF 

family and home. In such a youthful life 
every virtue is nourished and growing for 
the future work and cares of earth, in any 
station of life to which God shall be pleased 
to call the man. Its course may seem less 
exciting as it passes, but it is far more 
valuable and important in its results. 

"When James was ten years old, his father 
was suddenly removed by death. His mo- 
ther was then left to provide for her own 
little family, of whom the youngest was an 
infant of a few weeks old, and also for the 
aged mother of her husband. This Avas a 
weary and toilsome task to a widowed mo- 
ther. Neither of her sons were old enough 
to render her any assistance in the work of 
her little farm, and the slender income 
arising from it would not w^ arrant the ex- 
pense of hiring needful labour. She was 
obliged, therefore, to leave it to others, and 
her whole support for her fatherless family 
was the small rent which she received and 
the avails of her own industry. Yet even 
with this she was able to send her children 
to school, and to give them all the advan- 
tages for education which their retired 
dwelling allowed. 



JAMES MESSINGER. 15 

These were tlie circnmstances whicb. par- 
ticularly brought out the tenderness and 
loveliness of James's character. Daring 
these first years of his mother's widowhood 
he was her chief solace and comfort. All 
that he could do to relieve her burdens be- 
came his delight. Though but a child, he 
was ready to make every sacrifice to pro- 
mote her comfort and happiness and to 
gratify and console his aged grandmo her. 
Attention to his mother's wants from this 
time directed all his plans of life. Her 
interests and welfare were a part of his 
constant thoughts and care. It seemed to 
be his highest earthly delight to increase 
her happiness and to relieve her trials. He 
never forgot his mother. He might be truly 
called THE BOY who always loved his mo- 
ther. It was a beautiful trait of character. 
And Grod blessed him afterwards abundantly 
for it in his own character and life. After 
he had gone from his native home to enter 
upon the business of life, this trait in his 
character was still very constant and very 
remarkable. At a subsequent period, when 
his younger brother was about leaving 



16 MEMOIR OF 

home to learn a trade, James wrote to him 
upon the same subject: — 

^'Mother informs me that you intend 
learning a trade. I am very glad of it, be- 
cause I know that it will be advantageous 
to you. But before you leave home I hope 
you will endeavour to leave our dear mo- 
ther and grandmother and the rest of the 
family as comfortable as possible. The de- 
sire of mother that I should come home, 
and in some measure supply your place, I 
should not hesitate to comply with, had I 
not been strongly impressed with the idea 
that I could render more substantial help 
by remaining here than by coming home. 
But I hope before you leave home you will 
do every thing you can for mother, and, 
should you be near home, that you will 
often visit them, and afford them all the 
assistance in your power. You know, dear 
brother, that mother has had many hard- 
ships for our sakes. Well do I remember 
how she used to go out in cold stormy wea- 
ther to assist us about our work, in order 
to afford us the opportunity of attending 
school. May we live to enjoy the pleasure 
of having it in our power to return in some 



JAMES MESSINGER. 17 

small degree the debt we owe her, by con- 
tributing to her comfort in the decline of 
life!" 

Then, again, he wrote to his sister, refer- 
ring to his brother's absence : — 

'^ I scarcely know how yon will get along 
without him, as mother wrote me he was 
going to learn a trade this fall. You must 
try to do all you can to help along. Think 
how much trouble and hardship mother has 
undergone for our sakes. Surely we are 
old enough to take some of the burden off 
her hands. I hope you will not neglect 
these hints. Never suffer mother to un- 
dergo any hardships of which you can re- 
lieve her. Strive to do all you can to lessen 
the cares and anxieties which must of ne- 
cessity come upon her. Be kind, obedient, 
and cheerful in the performance of every 
duty. Consider it a pleasure to do any 
thing by which you can render assistance 
to her." 

To another sister he wrote: — 

"I hope you will do all you can to con- 
tribute to the assistance and comfort of 
grandmother and mother. You have it in 
your power to do much for them. Take 

2^ 



18 MEMOIR OV 

care that you never grieve them by folly or 
misconduct. If my influence will have any 
eflect on your mind, think how much your 
brother wishes you to behave well and to 
render yourself useful and beloved ; but re- 
member, above all, that God always sees 
you, and that you never can be guilty of a 
fault that is not known to him. Strive, 
then, to be dutiful and obedient to our only 
remaining parent, and to be kind and affec- 
tionate to all around you." 

These are beautiful exhibitions of his 
filial love. A remembrance of his mother's 
wants and sorrows was a constantly govern- 
ing principle in his youthful heart. It was 
a spirit which never forsook him in his 
whole subsequent life. Even while on his 
bed of death in Africa, his heart still yearned 
over the sorrows and cares of his widowed 
mother. There he gave directions for the 
sale of his little earthly property, that the 
avails of it might be sent back to America 
to his mother. Though the sum was small, 
it was enough to contribute much to her 
comfort for her remaining j^ears. How 
precious is such a recollection of a boy who 
never forgot and never ceased to love his 



JAMES MESSINGER. 10 

mother ! What a beauty does this trait add 
to the character and conduct of a youth! 
It gives also an influence, refining and 
exalting, to the whole of subsequent life. I 
know not how we could have a more valua- 
ble tribute given to the memory of a young 
servant of the Lord, in all his earthly rela- 
tions, than ''He was a boy who never 

FORGOT HIS MOTHER.'' 



20 MEMOIR OF 



CHAPTER II. 

REMOVAL TO PHILADELPHIA. 

In the year 1826, when James was fifteen 
years old, an uncle who lived in Phila- 
delphia, an umbrella-maker in very exten- 
sive business, oiFered to take him and teach 
him his trade, and then to establish him in 
the business if he desired to follow it. He 
was at that time at the academy in Wrent- 
ham, his native place, supported by the 
kindness of a friend. But the ofier ap- 
peared to be so advantageous to him, in 
reference to his future prospects in life, that 
his mother consented to part with him and 
to allow him to accept it. Her own income 
was very small, and it was necessary for 
James to earn his own living. This was a 
great trial to him. He was thus sent away, 
from the quietness and retirement of his 
native rural home, to the new and untried 
scenes of a large citj^, where temptations to 
evil would surround him on every side and 



JAMES MESSINGER. 21 

snares would be spread for him in every 
path in which he should go. How many 
precious youths fall a final prey to suchan 
influence ! How gracious was that divine 
power which guarded and preserved him! 
"We shall find that, like Joseph, ''the Lord 
was with him" in all his future ways, and 
brought him at last to the Avork to which he 
had called him, though that work was so 
short upon the earth. 

He remained in this situation in his 
uncle's establishment until he was twenty- 
one years old. But he did not find the em- 
ployment agreeable, and was unwilling to 
adopt it as a business for life. He was ex- 
ceedingly anxious to obtain a thorough 
education. He constantlj^ looked forward 
to some employment which might furnish 
him better means and opportunity for the 
exercise and improvement of his mind. He 
was so closely confined, during the years of 
his apprenticeship, to his appointed work, 
that he had but little opportunity for study. 
Much that he had previously learned was 
necessarily forgotten; and he grieved over 
what appeared to him the waste of his time 
and of his powers for intellectual attain- 



22 MEMOIR OF 

ment and usefulness. About the close of 
Ms term of engagement in his uncle's busi- 
ness, he described his desire and plan for 
future life in a letter to his aunt. He had 
expressed his exceeding desire to pursue a 
full course of studies for some literary em- 
ployment. His aunt urged him to enter 
upon such a course of study with a view to 
the ministry of the gospel. In reply to this 
suggestion, he wrote : — 

''I received your letter a short time since, 
but for want of time have not been able to 
answer it until now. The subject which 
you urge upon my consideration I feel to 
be a very important one. I am not, and 
hope I never shall be, insensible to the 
claims of the perishing world on those who 
love the Lord Jesus Christ. I cannot think 
that it is the duty of every young man who 
feels the love of Grod shed abroad in his 
heart, to thrust himself into the ministry, 
as if that were the only way in which he 
could promote the cause of his Lord and 
master. Nevertheless, if his circumstances 
are favourable, he ought seriously to con- 
sider whether he cannot do more for the 
cause of Christ in that way tlian in any 



JAMES MESSINGER. 23 

other. His language should be, ^Here, Lord, 
am I; what wilt thou have me to do ?' I do 
sometimes feel as if I should like to pro- 
claim to sinners the everlasting gospel, but 
I cannot feel warranted to fix my views de- 
cidedly upon it. Should I ever enter the 
ministry, I should prefer to work my way 
thither by my own exertions rather than to 
draw upon the kindness of my friends. One 
great, and, in fact, the greatest, obstacle in 
my way, in taking the course which you 
advise, is the claims which the pecuniary 
circumstances of my mother have to my 
consideration. This I only hinted at in my 
letter to her. I know that she would urge 
me not to let such a consideration deter 
me ; but this w^ould not satisfy me. Nor 
can I feel mj^self at liberty to relinquish all 
pecuniary pursuits while I know not what 
will be her situation and wants when grand- 
mother is no more. To have it in my power 
to render some assistance, if needed, is what 
I hope and strive for. And this, together 
with some information that I have received 
from my relatives here in regard to pecuni- 
arv assistance, have induced me to remain 
with them another year, at which time 



24 MEMOIR OF 

uncle contemplates retiring from the active 
part of the business. Matters will then 
probably arrive at such a crisis, as to enable 
me to decide as to my future course. I 
have not, at present, any idea of devoting 
my life to the business in which I am now 
engaged. My ultimate object is to prepare 
myself for teaching. While I am engaged 
in that occupation I shall have considerable 
time for study. And thus I can fit myself 
for higher pursuits, should I ever feel called 
upon to engage in them. These are my 
present views in regard to my future course ; 
I know not what may take place to change 
them. The Lord seeth not as man seeth. 
Should he open another path before me, and 
seem to say, by the voice of his providence, 
' This is the way, walk in it,' I should feel 
myself called upon to act dififerently from 
what I now intend." 

The character of this letter displays the 
religious aspect of his mind and feelings in 
advance of the narrative which we have 
given of his actual course. It is intended 
here simply to display his feelings and views 
in reference to his choice of employment 
for himself for his mature life. Thousrh 



JAMES MESSINGER. 25 

he felt no satisfaction in the occupation in 
which his apprenticeship was passed, he 
faithfully fulfilled its duties till the expira- 
tion of his appointed time. In the mean 
time many of his friends became acquaint- 
ed with his desire for study, and God was 
pleased to open before him the way in 
which he might engage in it. 

He remained in his uncle's employment 
until 1833. Then Mr. J. H. Brown, a highly 
respectable teacher in Philadelphia, offered 
him a situation as an assistant teacher in 
his school. Here he could pursue such 
studies as he desired, and, at the same 
time, be employed in a line of duty w^hich 
Avas altogether in accordance with habits 
of study. He, therefore, gladly embraced 
the opening w^hich was thus made for him, 
though for the present he also still assisted 
his uncle, a part of each day, in his store. 
JS[ow his occupation became professedly 
that of a teacher. He was thus employed 
with Mr. Brown, and subsequently with Mr. 
T. James, who was also a teacher in that 
city. During a few succeeding years, his 
time was all occupied in the twofold effort 
to acquire and to impart instruction, until 

3 



26 MEMOIR OE 

he was induced to devote Ms wliole time to 
the preparatory studies for the gospel minis- 
try. He was thus constantly improving his 
mind, and obtaining new and important 
experience for the great work upon which 
at last he was permitted to enter, but so 
small a part of the duties of which he was 
allowed to perform. We pass over this in- 
tervening period so cursorily now, because, 
in succeeding chapters, we must enter more 
particularly into its current of events as they 
passed. Our Heavenly Father has a variety 
of ways for preparing labourers for the har- 
vest of his glorious gospel ; and he himself 
fixes the time and the place of their labours 
in his service. 



JAMES MESSINGER. 27 



CHAPTER III. 

EARLY RELIGIOUS CHARACTER. 

In a life like Mr. Messinger's, it is inte- 
resting to inquire for the first indications of 
the work of the Holy Spirit in leading him 
to the Saviour's service. We know, how- 
ever, but very little of the state of his 
youthful mind upon the great interests of 
the gospel and the welfare of his own soul. 
Before he made an open profession of his 
love for the Lord his Saviour, he wrote some 
letters to his mother, giving her an account 
of his feelings and views. But these let- 
ters have been lost, and we feel it to be 
a great loss in this particular connection. 
He was always distinguished by a serious 
and thoughtful turn of mind. His aged 
grandmother used to call her little group of 
grandchildren around her when he was a 
boy at home, and instruct them in the word 
of God. These instructions had a good 
effect on his mind to restrain him from out- 



28 MEMOIR OF 

ward wickedness and to lead him to a very 
sincere reverence for religious character and 
for the truths of the gospel. But he does 
not appear to have had at that time any 
real convictions of the evil of sin, or of the 
necessity of a renewal of his heart and na- 
ture hj the Holy Spirit. 

After his decease, a partial sketch was 
found among his papers, furnishing a gene- 
ral but brief account of his feelings upon 
the great interests of personal religion pre- 
vious to his actual conversion. In this 
fragment he says : — 

''Although I cannot say my education 
was decidedly religious, yet I always enter- 
tained a feeling of high respect for religion. 
I think I can trace back these impressions 
as far as I can recollect any thing concerning 
myself. I considered religion important 
and calculated to make me happy. But I 
never formed the serious resolution of be- 
coming religious myself. I thought, per- 
haps, I should at some future time. But I 
was 3"oung, and none of my companions 
seemed to give any attention to their eter- 
nal interests, and I thought I might enjoy 
myself with them now, and when I became 



JAMES MESSINGER. 29 

too old to play with, them I would become 
a Christian. This was pretty much the form 
of reasoning used in my heart, and which 
served to satisfy conscience at that time. 

"During the winter of 1828-29, after 
my removal to Philadelphia, I was more 
strongly impressed than at any previous 
time. I felt the importance of religion, and 
thought seriously of yielding my heart to 
its claims. But the fear of the world, the 
lust of the flesh, and the opposition of the 
carnal heart, all rose up against me. I 
could not bring my mind to give up all, and 
thus to settle the controversy. In this state 
of conviction and anxiety I remained about 
a month, and then became as indifferent 
and careless as ever. 

" I continued thus until about the last of 
May, 1829, when, one Saturday night, hav- 
ing bought a pair of shoes of rather finer 
quality than usual, I was sneered at for my 
vanity. Then, under a peculiar frame of 
feeling which must be attributed solely to 
the Holy Spirit, I firmly resolved to become 
a Christian. And from this period I date 
my religious career. 

" For a few days I was in a state of dark- 



30 MEMOIR OF 

ness and doubt. Although I adhered to 
my resolution, yet at times I almost de- 
spaired of success. Soon after this, a course 
of the keenest internal temptations com- 
menced. It seemed as if a supernatural 
power was exercised over my heart, con- 
tinually suggesting thoughts from which 
my very soul would shrink with horror. 
These temptations lasted several weeks, hut 
at length gradually wore off. Since that 
time I trust I have been progressing, though 
slowly, in the way of holiness. And I trust 
that, in the strength of the Lord, I shall be 
enabled to persevere and overcome every 
difficulty, and attain unto the prize of the 
high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 

"'Tis Jesus the first and the last 

Whose Spirit shall guide me safe home; 
ril praise him for all that is past, 
And trust him for all that's to come. 

^'My conversion was not attended with 
any remarkable sense of sin. I thought 
sometimes, when under the influence of 
temptations, that my heart must be very 
bad to be capable of such thoughts. But I 
did not feel myself a lost and ruined sinner 
under the just sentence of God. God 



JAMES MESSINGER. 31 

seems slowly and gradually to have opened 
my mind to tliis, and also to the way in 
which I must be saved through Christ 
alone. I did not at first communicate my 
thoughts to any one, and I cannot tell how 
long it was before my state of mind was 
discovered. Those around me probably ob- 
served an unusual seriousness in my man- 
ner, and were led to suspect the change. 
But it was some time before any thing was 
said to me on the subject. I was very weak, 
having no one to counsel me. Being sur- 
rounded by infidels, my mind was often 
very much disturbed. Sometimes a single 
word against religion would throw me into 
perplexity and doubt for hours. I almost 
despaired of ever becoming firmly esta- 
blished. But, thanks be to God who giveth 
us the victory, as I went on I found the dif- 
ficulties giving way, and I found myself 
growing stronger and stronger in the 
Lord." 

In a note appended to the above account, 
dated September, 1842, he adds : — 

"The above paper I have just found 
among some loose scraps thrown into a 
draw in my book-case. I distinctly remem- 



32 MEMOIR OF 

ber drawing it up some time during the 
summer of 1829. But I had supposed it to 
be lost. I am glad to recover it, as it con- 
tains some things I would wish to preserve 
in memory. I believe it contains a true ac- 
count of my early religious experience. At 
the time I wrote it, I had obtained some 
satisfactory evidence of my conversion, al- 
though, to my recollection, I had not ven- 
tured openl}^ to profess myself a disciple of 
the Lord, and my mind was but in the twi- 
light in regard to many important points in 
Christian experience. But all my views 
and feelings had undergone an entire and 
thorough change, and I had no other 
thought, wish, or purpose, than to be wholly 
the Lord's." 

At the period of his conversion in 1829, 
Mr. Messinger was attending St. Andrew's 
Church, Philadelphia, then under the pas- 
toral charge of the Eev. Dr. Bedell. He 
had a very strong aftcction f()r this eminent 
Christian minister, as had all the young 
Christians who came under his instruction 
or enjoyed the pleasure of his personal ac- 
quaintance. Probably no clergyman has 
ever laboured more successfully or more 



JAMES MESSINGER. 33 

happily in the ministry in a peculiar con- 
nection with the youth of his flock, and no 
one certainly was ever more amply rewarded 
with their grateful appreciation and me- 
morj^ In the arrangements which he made 
for his extensive Sunday-schools in St. An- 
drew's, a particular attention was devuted 
to the elder scholars in separate Bible 
classes. One of these classes for young 
men w^as, for several years, under the care 
of Mr. John W. Claxton, a teacher whose 
eflforts were eminently devoted and equally 
successful in the great work of leading 
youthful minds to the love and obedience 
of the Saviour. This class was taught at 
St. Andrew's Church on the morning of 
every Sunday. The instructions of Mr. 
Claxton were a great privilege to the j^outh 
under his charge, and highly esteemed by 
them. Alas ! he was early called, like the 
subject of this memoir, from his useM 
labours on earth, to the Saviour's presence 
and glory. 

Amid the circumstances of instruction 
and the varied provisions for worship which 
St. Andrew's then afforded him, Mr. Mes- 
singer had peculiar opportunities to bo 



34 MEMOIR OF 

rightly taught in the truth and will of God. 
Of these advantages he gratefully availed 
himself, and his improvement under them 
v^as faithful and valuable. He became a 
communicant in St. Andrew's Church in the 
autumn of 1829. It was about that period 
that I first became acquainted with him. 
The first occasion that I ever saw him I 
well remember. It was on a Sunday even- 
ing, at St. Paul's Church, in Philadelphia, 
of which I was at that time the rector. I 
noticed him as a youth, in the first pew in 
the gallery, on my left hand. His whole 
aspect was so serious and engaged, and his 
union in the liturgy was so peculiarly affec- 
tionate and devout, that he awakened the 
strongest interest in my mind. His heart 
seemed to be deeply and truly engaged in 
the worship of the evening ; and the 
preaching of the gospel appeared to be a 
great refreshment and delight to him. 
Little could I then have thought who that 
boy was to be, or what he was to be to me, 
or that I was appointed so long to survive 
him after an intimate fellowship and to be 
the biographer of his short career. Yet 
thus had the Lord appointed. ^' Known 



JAMES MESSINGER. 6b 

Linto him are all liis works from the be- 
ginning of the world." 

Mr. Messinger remained in his connec- 
tion with St. Andrew's until the autumn 
of 1834, when, Dr. Bedell having departed 
to his rest, he was placed under my per- 
sonal ministry. At that time, the new 
church of the Epiphany, in Philadelphia, 
had been completed for me, and I had just 
opened my ministry there. Mr. Messinger 
canie to me to offer his services as the in- 
fant-school teacher in that church. Faith- 
ful and valuable services they were, indeed. 
He was then occupied in the week as a 
teacher with Mr. Brown. His whole mind 
and heart were given to the instruction of 
the 3^oung. Their souls were precious in 
his sight. He felt no time or labour a bur- 
den in his efforts to do them good. This 
department of his life and character will 
come up for our subsequent consideration. 

He remained a member — a verj^ useful 
and important member— of that united and 
happy flock until he went to Virginia to pur- 
sue his studies in direct preparation for the 
ministry. It was a happy flock indeed. 
No scenes of human life can well be more 



36 MEMOIR OF 

delightful than were the scenes of my min- 
istry there. Years of sweet peace and happy 
fellowship were they indeed. And it is an 
unspeakable delight in my subsequent life 
to meditate upon them and count over the 
joys which they brought. In this relation 
Mr. Messinger stood to me during the 
few years succeeding 1834. And here we 
walked together, in the union of love almost 
parental and filial, until the providence of 
our Heavenly Father separated him from 
me. A review of this portion of his life 
may now be postponed until we have re- 
viewed some extracts from his journal, in 
which he speaks for himself. 



JAMES MESSINGER. 37 



CHAPTER rV. 

JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

While Mr. Messinger was still at Ms 
uncle's, in the prosecution of his trade, he 
commenced a private journal, which he 
continued to the close of his life. The ob- 
ject of this journal appears to have been 
whollj^ for his own spiritual benefit. It was 
to keep a record of his own exercises and 
thoughts, particularly on the Sabbath, for 
self-examination and the improvement of 
his own heart and life. He afterwards ex- 
tended his plan to a brief history of each 
day, carefully examining his own conduct 
and motives, and making the whole con- 
templation of his own character a subject 
for earnest prayer. As an apprentice in 
the workshop of a trade, he had but little 
opportunity for*mental or spiritual improve- 
ment. "While his own mind and heart were 
under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, seek- 
ing the way of truth and holiness, he was 



38 MEMOIR OF 

compelled often to hear religion and reli- 
gious concerns made the subject of ridicule 
and contempt. In such circumstances his 
difficulties were many and his progress was 
slow. But God had been gracious to him, 
and had chosen him for himself, and he 
was now leading him on in the way that 
seemed wisest and best in his sight. "We 
will make some extracts from this journal, 
as serving to show the state of his mind 
and the progress of his character during 
these years of trial and toil. 

The first entry in his journal is in March, 
1830, when he had been four years at his 
uncle's, and a few months after the Lord 
had led him to make a public confession of 
the Saviour's name. 

"In the midst of the bustle, care, and toil 
of this busy life, the Sabbath comes like a 
verdant spot in the midst of a dreary desert. 
On this day, — of all days the best, — disen- 
tangled from the vain pursuits and follies of 
the world, I would enjoy an opportunity of 
communion with God, to read and hear his 
holy word and freely to engage in religious 
exercises. Thrice-blessed day ! May I ever 
hail thy approach with sacred joy! And 



JAMES MESSINGER. 39 

may the Lord grant that the exercises of 
this day may fit me to enjoy an eternal Sab- 
bath in heaven ! To preserve a record of 
the thoughts, feehngs, and occupations of 
this blessed day of God is the object of this 
diary. Do thou grant, Heavenly Father, 
that this design may be blessed to my spi- 
ritual benefit, and that these pages may re- 
cord many Sabbaths spent in thy love and 
service." 

''April 11, Easter-day. — Arose quite early, 
and thought of the glorious theme of the 
resurrection of our Saviour. My heart at 
first cold and hard. Prayed earnestly for 
reviving grace, and felt refreshed. Con- 
versed with a friend on the subject of 
coming forward to the Table of the Lord. 
Want of humility, and a want of a sense of 
the exceeding sinfulness of my heart, give 
me much anxiety, and make me doubt 
whether I am a fit subject to approach the 
Table of the Lord. Prayed God to give me 
a sense of sin. Remained in church until 
communion was nearly over. Heart still 
unfeeling. After church, prayed fervently 
that the Lord would reveal himself, and be- 



40 MEMOIR OF 

came mucli refreshed. May the Lord give 
me grace to examine myself deeply !" 

''-April 17. — On reviewing the past week, 
I see much sin, coldness and hardness of 
heart, to mourn over and repent of. What 
reason have I to humble myself before thee, 
God ! for I have erred and strayed from 
thy ways like a lost sheep; and yet thou 
hast thus far spared my unprofitable life. 
Oh, what reason have I to be thankful that 
my salvation depends not on the fickle 
foundation of my own righteousness ! I find 
it almost impossible, owing to the disposi- 
tion of those with whom I am obliged to 
associate, to devote my mind to any serious 
subject. Lord, thou knowest my difficulties 
and trials. Oh, guide my feet in the right 
path, and finally bring me to thy heavenly 
rest!" 

"May 2. — This Sabbath has been delight- 
ful. Truly may I say, it has been a Sabbath- 
day to my soul. Prayer-meetiug, Bible-class, 
church exercises, and Sunday-school, have 
all been interesting." 

"June 28, 1832.— This day I enter upon 
my twenty-second year. In the language 
of the world, I am now free. But^ alas ! I 



JAMES MESSINGER. 41 

am not free from sin, which wars against 
my soul and is continually bringing me into 
subjection. Twenty-one years of my life 
have passed away. Only three of them have 
been in any degree given to the Lord. Even 
these I cannot look back upon without 
shame — so much love for the world and so 
little love for God characterize them. This 
should be a solemn season. I would that I 
could feel it as I ought. Rose this morning 
in a tolerably good frame of mind. But 
soon my thou'ghts began to wander. "Went 
through my morning devotions, however, 
with comfort. During all the morning, 
maintained a frame generally calm and col- 
lected. Received a letter from my eldest 
sister, who, I have reason to hope, has be- 
come a Christian. She expresses much love 
to her Saviour. Would that I felt as much 
as she expresses ! Was told by a Christian 
friend that I had not religion enough. Oh, 
how true it is ! In the afternoon I went out 
to walk; my object was principally to get 
by myself, and to reflect on such subjects as 
the day should suggest. But when I tried 
to meditate, my mind was so distracted that 
I derived but little profit. Read a little in 

4* 



42 MEMOIR OF 

the evening, and passed the remainder in 
meditation. Thus has this day passed; not 
entirely unprofitably, although not as profit- 
able as I could wish. One thing is certain : 
I do not feel as deeply on the subject of reli- 
gion as I ought. Oh for a deeper work of 
grace in my soul!" 

"July 11, — Felt a little of the spiritual 
mind to-day, — but oh how little! Much 
laughing and trifling conversation carried 
on around me, and, though I did not join in 
it much, yet it has a perceptible tendency to 
steal away my spirituality of mind. Worldly 
conversation and gayety, though it may em- 
brace nothing which may not be called in- 
nocent, is not a fit atmosphere for religion 
to thrive. My experience this day has taught 
me this. Oh that I might learn solid wisdom 
from experience!" 

"July 16. — Began the day rather coldly. 
I feel more sensibly my own imperfections, 
I think, than I have ever done before. A 
Christian told me she did not think I had 
ever been thoroughly converted. I fear it 
may be the case. I saw myself in a clearer 
light than I have ever done before. I have 
been drawn towards God, but I have not 



JAMES MESSINGER. 43 

been completely renewed by his Spirit. I 
feel confident that, as the Lord has led me 
thus far, he will not now desert me. I look 
for the gift of the Holy Spirit to deepen and 
to render complete the work of conversion 
in my heart. May God give me resolution 
to seek it diligently and never give it up 
until I have obtained it ! Several instances 
have occurred to-day of deficiencies of 
memory. It is a great hinderance in the 
way of glorifying God, and, I fear, a stum- 
bling-block in the way of some who are 
willing to find occasion for offence. Cannot 
it be overcome? May God give me grace 
to try!" 

The above extract shows how faithfully 
Mr. Messinger examined* and judged him- 
self, though his doubts in regard to his own 
conversion seem to be answered and settled 
by the very passage in which he records 
them. It also shows how harshly he was 
judged and rebuked by some one whose 
kindness and discrimination were not ap- 
parent in the opinion expressed. How care- 
ful ought the servants of Christ to be, in 
dealing with ,the weak and tender of the 
flock, to follow the blessed example of their 



44 MEMOIR OF 

Master, who would not '^ break the braised 
reed, nor quench the smoking flax," lest the 
feeble should be disheartened and turned out 
of the way ! As yet, Mr. Messinger knew 
but little of the privileges of the gospel or 
its open and gracious way of salvation for 
the sinner. For him clearly to decide the 
great question of his own spiritual condition 
was, with his partial light and knowledge, 
impossible. But God had loved him and 
redeemed him, and, we doubt not, had con- 
verted him by his own Spirit ; and, however 
doubtfully and sometimes despondingly he 
might speak of himself, we cannot doubt 
but God was really sanctifying him and 
leading him on through all these changes, 
to make him at t*he last steadfast in faith, 
and truly alive in his service and active for 
his glory. 

In the month of August, 1832, he made a 
visit to his mother and friends in Massachu- 
setts. He went in a vessel by sea from 
Philadelphia to Boston. Some of the inci- 
dents of his journey which he has recorded 
show how constantly and earnestly he was 
engaged in trying to do good on the way. 

"August 8. — One week yesterday I left 



JAMES MESSINGER. 45 

Philadelphia^ and yesterday afternoon ar- 
rived in Boston. The passage generally 
pleasant, — more so than I had anticipated. 
There were many passengers on board, of 
various religious opinions. I had, once or 
twice, a little discussion on religious sub- 
jects. I do not know that any positive 
good was done; but I hope that a favour- 
able impression was left on the minds of all. 
Five children were on board. For the 
eldest, a boy about twelve or thirteen years 
of age, I felt considerable interest. Con- 
versed with him two or three times. He 
seemed remarkably well disposed towards 
religion, and had been a Sabbath-scholar. 
The mate of the vessel was a pious man. 
Had many conversations with him, and 
formed an acquaintance which I hope to 
continue. Since I have arrived in Boston, 
I have not enjoyed much retired communion 
with God until now. Feel very backward 
in company, owing perhaps, in part, to my 
having been in company so little. May the 
Lord help me to conduct mj^self in such a 
manner as shall be for his glory !" 

^'August 24. — Took the stage for Wrent- 
ham on the 10th, and was received with 



46 ' MEMOIR OF 

great joy by all the family, after an absence of 
nearly six years. Wrentham but little altered 
outwardly since I last saw it. But the peo- 
ple, especially the younger ones, are much 
changed. Many of my old acquaintance are 
decidedly religious or deeply serious. The 
Sabbath-school is in a more flourishing con- 
dition than when I left home. Mother and 
my eldest sister are pious. Have established 
family worship while I remain at home. 
Yesterday attended lecture and Bible-class. 
Both very interesting. Hope a door is 
opened for doing good. May God help me 
to pass into it ! Had much to flatter me and 
to feed spiritual pride, to which I am prone 
to yield. Was put upon self-examination, a 
few days since, by the faithful conversation 
of a relative. Oh, how far am I from being 
what I ought to be ! Most deeply do I feel 
my deflciency. Since I have been at home 
my spiritual frame has been very fluctuating. 
Yet I think, upon the whole, that I am 
growing in grace, but oh how slowly!" 

"September 2, Sabbath. — Have had a good 
day, and feel my spiritual frame revived. 
Heard three sermons, each of which seemed 
better than the preceding. The last, from 



JAMES MESSINGER. 47 

the text ^^ Compel them to come in," a very 
solemn and interesting discourse. Have 
attempted to bring my mind into a prayer- 
ful frame, and have in some measure suc- 
ceeded." 

The week after this record Mr. Messinger 
returned again to Philadelphia, and entered 
anew upon his constant work. He was now 
regularly employed as a teacher in the 
week, and faithfully occupied in the Sun- 
day-school on the Lord's day. In season 
and out of season he was diligent in his 
endeavours to do good. His journal de- 
scribes his spiritual growth and character. 

''October 7, Sabbath, — Have felt a calm the 
greater part of the day. Enabled to pray 
with a degree of fervour two or three times 
to-day, especially in the teachers' prayer- 
meeting, which revived me. Staj^ed at 
home in the evening while the rest of the 
family went to church. Little E. P. was 
with me. Had quite an interesting time 
with him. "We talked and prayed and sung. 
His feelings are easily wrought upon. But 
I fear no permanent good is done yet. 
Agreed to pray for him. Oh may the Lord 
grant his blessing !" 



48 MEMOIR OF 

Little E., the cliild here referred to, was 
a cousin of Mr. Messinger's, the only son 
of the uncle with whom he lived in Phila- 
delphia. For this little boy and his two 
sisters he felt a deep interest. Various 
little notes and verses found among his 
papers, addressed to them, show how great 
was his anxiety for their spiritual welfare. 
E. P. became a faithful servant of Christ. 
He has been since educated for the ministry 
in the Union Theological Seminary in the 
city of New York, and is now employed as 
a missionary of the gospel to the heathen. 

Mr. J. H. Brown, in a letter addressed to 
this young man, says : — 

"Mr. Messinger was in the habit of pray- 
ing for particular individuals at stated 
times." He used, for this purpose, to place 
the names of his pupils on paper, and retire 
to his chamber with them. You were often 
the theme of his earnest solicitations ; and 
he used to express much faith in the hope 
that you would yet be brought to a know- 
ledge of the truth." 

In a letter to a sister of Mr. Messinger, 
E. P. sajs:— 

" My cousin gave me a copy of the Poly- 



JAMES MESSINGER. 49 

glott Bible. On its title-page he wrote 
some lines. "WTien I left home to prepare 
for college, I took it with me. I had it 
with me at college, and when I was awa- 
kened it was this Bible that I prayed over 
and read with interest. Who can tell how 
much the one who gave it to me influenced 
me — unconsciously, perhaps ? Who can tell 
how much I owe to his prayer of faith for 
my present condition in life and the very 
remarkable course of discipline to which 
Grod has subjected me to bring me to him- 
self? I have been very far from God, and 
truly wonderful have been his dealings with 
me. I was a small boy when cousin James 
was with us. He* taught me in Sunday- 
school, and I remember one evening in par- 
ticular he interested me and my sister in 
telling us about the judgments brought 
upon Pharaoh. I remember, too, when the 
house and factory were all connected in a 
large building, those of us in the lower part 
of the house used to hear cousin James 
praying in the garret, so loud and earnest 
was he in his prayers.'' 

The following is a copy of the verses re- 
ferred to. They possess no poetic merit; 



50 MEMOIR OF 



but they show how he tried every possible 
eJffort to do good :— 

'' They that seek me early shall find me. — Prov. viii. 7. 

Happy the youth whose early days 
Are spent in his Creator's praise, 
Whose early thoughts to him are given, 
Who runs the narrow way to heaven ! 

To those who early seek his face, 
And walk while young in wisdom's ways, 
He doth his word of promise give 
That they shall in his favour live. 

So find the Lord ; His grace to know. 
What blessings has it to bestow ! 
All they who find his favour gain 
That good which others seek in vain. 

They find an everlasting friend 
On whom they ever may depend ; 
Sweet peace on earth to them is given. 
And an eternal home in heaven. 

Dear cousin, now, in early years, 
The world to you so gay appears. 
That all its offers give delight. 
And every future hope looks bright. 

But ah, how soon may all these gay 
And brilliant prospects fade away 1 
How soon will all these joys be past, 
And only sorrow leave at last ! 

Soon may the hand of death remove 
Far from your sight the friends you love; 
Sickness and sorrow soon destroy 
All earthly happiness and joy; 



JAMES MESSINGER. 51 

And then, when all these hopes so bright 
Shall fade and vanish from your sight, 
Will you not want some surer joys, 
Some good which earth nor time destroys ? 

Oh then, while youth with vigour glows, 
Seek that which God alone bestows. 
And gain those treasures which will last 
When earth and all its hopes are past. 

Mr. Messinger's solicitude for the spirit- 
ual welfare of his friends was apparent in 
all his conduct and conversation. His letters 
to them were full of faithful warnings and 
earnest entreaties. Those who were Chris- 
tians he endeavoured to encourage, advise, 
and instruct. His sister remarks upon the in- 
terest and pleasure with which she received 
his kind and faithful letters. She would 
retire with them to her room, and tremble 
and weep on her lost condition as a sinner, 
and .make earnest resolutions for the amend- 
ment and government of her future life. 
Though for several years she was not will- 
ing to make the sacrifice required, and 
these impressions were like the morning 
cloud and the early dew, yet they were the 
means of sowing the good seed; and in 
later years God was pleased to cause it to 
spring up and bear fruit. 



52 MEMOIR OF 

To his eldest sister he thus wrote in 1833 : — 
''In your last letter you express much 
peace and comfort in religion. I am sincerely 
rejoiced that you find it thus. Indeed, it 
cannot be otherwise to every one who pur- 
sues it with singleness of heart, and with a 
determination to follow on to know the 
Lord and to make his will the rule of their 
conduct and his service their great aim and 
end. Go on, my dear sister ; press towards 
the mark for the prize of your high calling, 
remembering that He is faithful who hath 
promised, and that he will also perform his 
promise to all who put their trust in him. 
Endeavour to maintain a devotional frame 
of mind. "Wherever the Christian is, and 
whatever he is doing, still he is the Lord's, 
bought with the blood of Jesus; and every 
action, of whatever character it is, must be 
done as unto him. Whether we are alone, 
or in company, engaged in our daily occupa- 
tion, walking, meditating, reading, or in 
whatever we are engaged, still we must keep 
our eye directed upwards. We must see 
God in every object, observe his providence 
in every circumstance, and serve him in 
every action. This, I think, is what the 



JAMES MESSINGER. 53 

Psalmist means when he says, 'I have set 
the Lord always before me.' With God in 
all our thoughts and his blessing in all our 
pursuits, which we may surely expect if we 
undertake every thing with humble depend- 
ence on his guidance, — with his protection 
under every trial and in every danger, what 
has the Christian to fear? Surely he may 
say, with David, ' The Lord is my Shepherd; 
I shall not want.' Cherish aiFectionato 
thoughts of Christ. Think much of his 
dying love, and endeavour to apply it to 
yourself, as though it were for you alone he 
shed his precious blood. Oh, what an ex- 
alted privilege it is to be a Christian ! How 
little do we realize it! To think that the 
Lord our God should condescend to own us 
and honour us with his friendship, and call 
us his brethren ! Many Christians, I think, 
lose much of the joy of religion by thinking 
of these things in too general a manner. 
They consider that Christ died for them 
and is now interceding for them; but they 
do not make a personal application of it to 
themselves. Christ died for me. He is now 
pleading for me. He is mine^ and I am his. 
These are the thoughts that would be well 

5* 



54 MEMOIR OF 

for you to dwell upon. We should consider 
him as a personal friend, who regards us as 
much as if we were the only objects of his 
favour in the world. This is the way to 
bring ourselves into close communion and 
fellowship with him. Do not be discouraged 
if you cannot attain to this high and holy 
disposition at once. Remember, the path 
of the just is as the shining light, which 
shineth more and more unto the perfect 
dav. The work of sanctification is not the 
work of a day or a month. We must run 
the race set before us. But we must run 
with patience, lest by impatience we become 
weary, and finally give up before we have 
attained the end. It is a very common idea 
with those just setting out in the Christian 
course that they are going to attain perfec- 
tion at once. But experience teaches them 
a very different lesson. They find enemies 
to oppose, corruptions to subdue, and diffi- 
culties to overcome, which never entered 
into their calculation ; and it is well if they 
are not discouraged before they have made 
any considerable progress. Do not think, 
because your brother writes these things, 
that he has himself attained to such a high 



JAMES MESSINGER. 55 

degree of holiness as to be in the constant 
enjoyment of the heavenly frame he would 
urge you to strive for. My dear sister, had 
I no other hope of the favour of God than 
the ground of my personal attainments, I 
should despair of ever being able to stand 
in his presence. These directions which I 
write to you, I would humbly and thank- 
fully say, have been the happy experience 
of some few favoured moments. But the 
constant enjoyment of them is far above my 
possession. Experience tells me it is no 
easy matter to live the life of a real devoted 
Christian. Such a life, above all others, is 
happy beyond description. But it is a happi- 
ness which is not to be gained by sitting still 
in sloth and inaction and wishing for it. 
Oh, no. There is much hard fighting and 
struggling before we can obtain it. Our 
passions must be subdued, our corruptions 
overcome, sins fought against, temptations 
resisted, and trials endured, before we arrive 
at that heaven begun below which it is the 
privilege of the persevering Christian to en- 
joy. But is not this heavenly life on earth 
well worth all the pains it may cost to gain 
it ? Let us, then, lay aside every weight, and 



56 MEMOIR OF 

tlie sin tliat doth so easily beset us, and 
strive eveiy day to gain more of that hea- 
venly-mi ndedness which constitutes all the 
enjoyment of religion. May the Lord help 
us to grow in grace daily ! We both alike 
need his help. Let us put our trust in him." 

To another sister he wrote : — 

'• I am sorry that the tide of religious feel- 
ing is at so low an ebb at Wrentham. You 
mentioned that Mrs. B.'s eldest daughter had 
united with the church. This is interesting 
to me, as I well remember her when I used 
to attend the academy. To hear that any 
one whom I have known in former times 
has forsaken the vanities of the world and 
became an heir of eternal life, is always in- 
teresting to me. But when shall a brother's 
heart be made to rejoice at the tidings that 
another sister has left the service of the 
enemy and entered into the fold of the 
Good Shepherd? My dear sister, are you 
willing forever to renounce the hope of 
heaven? Are you willing to say that you 
will never have any thing to do with reli- 
gion ? Are you willing to venture on the 
awful experiment of dying without it, and 
attempt to brave the terrors of death and 



JAMES MESSmaER. 57 

judgment? You maj almost as well do it, 
as trifle with your eternal interests and hold 
a parley with the world. You say you wish 
to become a Christian ; but it seems so hard 
that you cannot make up your mind to be- 
gin. Do you expect it will grow easier by 
neglecting it? "Why not set about it at 
once and in earnest? As long as you sit 
still, it will appear hard ; and the longer 
you look at it the harder it will seem. You 
say you know^ not how to begin. The way 
to begin is comprised in the brief direction 
of the Scripture, ' Cease to do evil ; learn 
to do well;' withdraw your mind from the 
pursuit of vain and trifling things, and fix it 
upon things that concern your eternal wel- 
fare. Cherish those thoughts and feelings. 
The pursuits and company and books w^hich 
tend to draw away your mind and unfit you 
for serious thinking about your soul, must 
all be avoided. I do not ask you to make 
any sudden resolutions. Strive to get your 
heart deeply impressed with the importance 
of religion. Think of what you are by na- 
ture, — a lost and helpless sinner; and what 
must ere long be your condition without an 
interest in Christ, — an outcast from the pre- 



58 MEMOIR OF 

sence of God and from all the glories and 
blessedness of heaven. Think of all Christ 
has done to save you, and all the agonies he 
bore for your sins. Think of the solemni- 
ties of a dying hour, the peace Christ will 
impart to those who die in him, and the 
fearfulness of dying without an interest in 
him. Meditate upon these things until you 
feel them and have a sense of your danger. 
Listen to the voice which exclaims, 'Flee 
from the wrath to come ; escape for thy life. 
Flee to the mountain, lest thou be con- 
sumed!' When you feel these things you 
will feel your need of Christ. You will be 
constrained to go to him, and in him you 
will be safe. My dear sister, lay these 
things to heart. I scarcely know where to 
stop, or how to finish this letter. I will 
close by once more urging you to consider 
these things before your day of grace is 
fled." 

To his youngest sister he wrote : — 
"Eemember, the morning of life is the 
best, and, in fact, the only time in which to 
lay the foundation of your future happiness 
and of usefulness to yourself and others. 
You are in this morning of life. See that 



JAMES MESSINGER. 59 

you improve your time and opportunity to 
the best advantage. My dear sister, you are 
young; and great are the blessings promised 
to the youth who consecrate themselves to 
the service of the blessed Redeemer. Do 
you wish to be happy ? Attend to religion. 
^Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all 
her paths are peace.' Do you wish to ap- 
pear lovely in the sight of the good ? Then 
choose him for your friend, and follow him 
for your example, who is the chief among 
ten thousand and the one altogether lovely. 
Do you wish to die happy ? Then give up 
your heart and affections to that Saviour 
who takes away the sting of death, and, 
when you walk through the valley of the 
shadow of death, he will be with you, and his 
rod and his staff shall comfort you. Do yoa 
wish to join that glorious company of an- 
gels, and the assembly of the first-born whose 
names are written in heaven? Then you 
must belong to the company of the saints 
upon the earth. Think what a place heaven 
is. ' There is a river the streams whereof 
make glad the city of God.' There is a 
habitation of the righteous, — ^a house not 



60 MEMOIR OP 

made with liands, eternal in the heavens.' 
But remember that none shall enter there 
who have not made Christ their friend on 
earth. The redeemed alone shall walk there, 
and the ransomed of the Lord shall return 
and come to Zion with songs and everlast- 
ing joy upon their heads. My dear sister, 
are not these things worth thinking about 
and caring for? You are not too young to 
think about them, and soon every opportu- 
nity may be cut off forever. Though you 
are young, you may soon die. The chilling 
blast or the nipping frost may wither the 
flower while it is yet in the bud. But the 
lovely flower of early piety is only trans- 
planted by the hand of God to a more con- 
genial soil. In the paradise of God it shall 
bloom with unfading beauty. May the Lord 
teach you so to number your days as to 
apply your heart unto wisdom!" 

This beloved sister has, since the departure 
of her faithful brother, joined him in the 
world of glory, where they may unite to 
praise Him who hath redeemed them by his 
blood, and made them meet to be partakers 
of the inheritance of the saints in light. 



JAMES MESSINGER. 61 

She died in the triumphant hope of the 
gospel, April 19, 1848. 

These extracts from Mr. Messinger's let- 
ters show the fidelity of his affection and 
the earnest character of his piety in this 
early period of his Christian life. He was 
in all his relations equally faithful, and sin- 
cerely desirous to be useful. He gave thus 
a happy example of the affectionate cha- 
racter of true piety. The blessed fruits of 
the Spirit will always be thus displayed. 
They will be seen in the manifestation and 
the increase of tenderness, sympathy, and 
love. When a youthful heart is converted 
by the Holy Spirit, we must look for these 
immediate results. The trials and the op- 
portunities of the youthful Christian are in 
the domestic relations in which he is placed. 
Here are his duties, and here must be ex- 
hibited the results of his renewed and sanc- 
tified nature. He must bo a blessing to his 
household. Brothers, sisters, and parents, 
must see the evidence of the work of grace 
in all the little trials of his relations to them. 
They are all witnesses. Whether they be 
truly Christians themselves or not, they are 

6 



62 MEMOIR OF 

very discriminating and intelligent witnesses 
of the truth and sincerity of the youthful 
profession. Let every young Christian see 
in the subject of this memoir the beauti- 
ful illustration of such affectionate fidelity, 
and strive to follow him as he followed 
Christ. 



JAMES MESSINGER. 63 



CHAPTER Y. 

JOURNAL CONTINUED — COMMENCES TEACHING. 

Mr. Messinqer kept his daily journal for 
several years with much care, but entire 
privacy. I have already made some extracts 
from the journal, and shall have more to 
present. But I forbear to copy too largely, 
lest my youthful readers should not feel a 
sufficient interest in so minute a description 
of his own mind and feelings. 

In the month, of September, 1833, Mr. 
Messinger commenced the employment of 
teaching, which he pursued until he devoted 
his whole time to studies for the ministry. 
The following is the notice which he makes 
of this change in his pursuits : — 

^'- September 1, 1833. — May this be a day 
long to be remembered ! It is the holy Sab- 
bath, the first day of the week. It is a 
starting on a new sphere of life, on which I 
expect to-morrow to enter. Oh that it might 
be a fresh starting-point in religion ! As I 



64 MEMOIR OF 

am about to enter upon a new scene of du- 
ties, I have purposed to lay down some rules 
for the government of my future conduct. 
May God help me to observe and profit by 
them ! 

^'I resolve to endeavour to live near to 
God, and to maintain a more constant com- 
munication with him. 

''To endeavour to maintain a command 
over myself, and to govern and keep within 
bounds my inclinations, appetites, and pas- 
sions. 

'' To endeavour to improve every moment 
of my time, and strive to fill it up with 
something useful. 

''Periodically to call myself to account 
for the manner in which I live, and for the 
improvement I make of the opportunities 
which I enjoy for advancing in holiness, 
knowledge, and usefulness. 

"In order to do this, I resolve to maintain 
a constant presence of mind, to watch for 
opportunities for improvement by observa- 
tion and reflection, to take account of every 
occurrence, and lay it by for future use, as a 
subject for meditation and practical improve- 
ment. 



JAMES MESSINGER. 65 

"I resolve to endeavour as rnuch as pos- 
sible to plan out whatever I have before me, 
and to do all things in order and by method, 
that so I may avoid confusion. 

"Especially to be punctual in morning 
and evening devotion, and to endeavour to 
be devout and spiritual in them. 

" To endeavour each morning to lay out, 
as v^ell as possible, the work of the day, 
and at night to call to mind as much as 
I can recollect, and whatever is useful to 
commit to writing. 

"To cherish a kind and affectionate dis- 
position towards all around me, to seek their 
good, and to take an interest in their wel- 
fare." 

September 3. — Mr. Messinger commenced 
this day his career as a student and a teacher. 
He was now twenty-two years of age. Many 
discouragements were in his way. But his 
determination was fixed, his plans were laid, 
and he entered upon them with his whole 
heart. At first his progress was slow. 
Seven years' close attention to mechanical 
labour, with no opportunity for mental cul- 
tivation, had left his mind in a wandering, 
undisciplined state, which he found it ex- 



66 MEMOIR OF 

tremely difficult to conquer. This, with the 
disease which was finally fatal, and the seeds 
of which were already sown within, proved 
a great hindrance to his progress in study, 
and was a severe trial to his Christian tem- 
per and spirit. This disease was an affiBc- 
tion of the spine, caused, as he said, by his 
back being overtaxed with effort while in a 
weak state. This was probably the source 
of that lethargic and wandering state of 
mind of which he so often complained, 
and which he habitually attributed to the 
sinful state of his heart. From this he suf- 
fex*ed much depression, and was induced 
often to pronounce severe judgments upon 
his own state. How happy is the remem- 
brance that the gracious Lord knows the in- 
firmities of his servants, and, ''where there 
is a willing mind, accepts according to that 
which a man hath, and not according to 
that which he hath not" ! 

"While Mr. Messinger was pursuing his 
studies in his new position, he omitted none 
of the active Christian duties in which he 
had been engaged. The rules which he had 
laid down for the government of his life he 
endeavoured strictly to carry out. Order 



JAMES MESSINGER. 67 

and method marked all his movements. 
His plans were distinctly arranged, and his 
time was so divided as to give to each day 
its appropriate share and place. 

Mr. Brown, with whom he commenced 
his work as a teacher, says of him : — 

^'He entered my school in the year 1833, 
and remained with me about four years. 
He was not very quick in acquiring know- 
ledge, but possessed an astonishing amount 
of industry and perseverance. Prayer pre- 
ceded and accompanied all his actions. 
After one year's engagement in my school, 
I took him into my family and increased 
his labours in the school. It was there that 
I learned his real worth. I was in the habit 
of studying until twelve o'clock at night 
and rising at six in the morning. Custom 
had rendered these hours familiar and easy 
to me. But Mr. Messinger had much to 
contend with before he could keep the 
hours I did. Yet so determined was he, 
that, at his earnest request, I allowed him to 
sit near enough to me, at the same table in 
my study, to be reached by a ruler, that I 
might rouse him from sleep in the evening. 
He was regular and methodic in all things. 



68 MEMOIR OF 

He drew a plan for the disposition of his 
time, assigning a certain portion for devotion, 
for preparation of the lessons he was to teach, 
for teaching, and for study and reading. 
Saturday had its peculiar duties for recrea- 
tion — the only time he allowed himself 
for that purpose. He kept a list of his Sab- 
bath scholars, marking oifa definite number, 
which he strictly visited every Saturday, 
even when great self-denial was necessary 
to do so. On Saturday evening he selected 
the chapter to read to his class, studied it, 
and prayed over it; selected his hymns, and 
in a like manner studied them. Then, in a 
memorandum-book which he usually carried 
with him, he put down the heads of all the 
remarks he intended to make on Sunday. 
His income was small. Yet he had written, 
in his account-book, one part for his mother, 
one for the Lord, one for charity, one for 
religious publications, the rest for himself. 
The particular portion of each I do not 
recollect, as I never saw this book but once. 
His whole income was so small that I was 
particularly struck with his being able to 
give away any thing. "While Mr. Messinger 
was residing with me, one of my pupils in 



JAMES MESSINGER. 69 

his class was taken sick, and, after a long 
sickness, died. I suggested to him to write 
a memoir of this boy. As I had only at 
any time to make a suggestion for him to 
act, he immediately undertook it. Having 
been but little accustomed to composition, 
he wrote it several times entirely anew. It 
was finally published by the Sunday-school 
Union, under the title of *^ Little Theodore.' 
Vef)^ few, in reading this little book, can 
imagine the amount of labour bestowed on 
it, and the prayers for its usefulness. Mr. 
Messinger endeared himself so much to my 
whole family that I recall his life with 
peculiar pleasure." 

After about four years' residence with 
Mr. Brown, Mr. Messinger was occupied for 
a few months as a teacher in the Orphan 
Asylum. But he found this engagement to 
interfere so much with his private efforts 
to study that he was obliged to relinquish 
it, though the little subjects of his care 
were deeply interesting to his affectionate 
spirit. 

In the year 1837 he entered the school of 
Mr. T. D. James, in Philadelphia, and re- 
mained with him until he went to the 



70 MEMOIR OF 

Theological Seminary to devote his time 
wholly to theological studies. 

Some extracts from his private journal 
during this period of his life will show the 
spirit with which he engaged in his new 
work. 

'^ September 7, 1833. — Took a retrospective 
view of the past week. After all the resolu- 
tions with which I commenced, I find myself 
but little advanced either in respect to re- 
ligion or mental improvement. Perhaps I 
could hardly expect it to be otherwise at the 
commencement of a new occupation of life. 
Thus far, my employment as a teacher has 
been more than pleasant. I have found an 
increasing interest in the occupation ever 
since I commenced. But the pleasures I 
have experienced have had too little of God 
in them; have not been able to maintain 
that continual sense of his presence, and 
that delight in his service, which I had 
resolved. But still I feel encouraged, and 
resolve to endeavour to go on trusting in 
the Lord." 

" September 9. — Spent nearly the whole day 
in school. Find myself more and more 
deficient in qualifications. Must, make re- 



JAMES MESSINaEK. 71 

newed efibrts to improve my knowledge and 
to fit myself for tlie duties of my station. 
Have been enabled at frequent times during 
the day to lift my heart to God in prayer 
and thanksgiving." 

"September 13. — Read, in the Sunday- 
school Journal, a memoir of the Rev. J. Barr, 
which was interesting to me on account of 
his beginning his studies so late in life and 
under more discouraging circumstances than 
myself. I have sometimes thought myself 
too old to think of acquiring an Education. 
But his experience gives me fresh courage." 

"September 19. — Arose early. But my 
mind continually going astray to the ends 
of the earth. What an ungovernable thing 
is the mind, when it has long been permitted 
to have its own course in folly and vanity ! 
Let me strive this day to reduce it to 
obedience." 

Mr. Messinger^s desire and effort to gain 
improvement from every passing event and 
occupation is most interesting. He was 
constantly on the watch for means of spi- 
ritual advantage and gain. He had no 
relish for society that did not recognise and 
remember God. Books which were adapted 



72 MEMOIR OF 

to benefit neitlier the mental nor moral nature 
were laid aside as unprofitable. He con- 
sider'ed life too short and time too precious 
to be spent on trifles, and therefore he en- 
deavoured to fill up every hour with some- 
thing useful. It was in this way that he 
became able to accomplish his work amid 
many discouragements, and thus to become 
an example to young men amid kindred 
difficulties who may come after him. 

''November 24, Sabbath. — Attended St. 
Andrew's Church, and listened to one of 
the most eloquent and impressive sermons 
I ever heard from Dr. Bedell. It was on 
the subject of giving to the cause of God, 
in behalf of the missionary cause. In the 
evening at our Bible-class. Exercises ren- 
dered exceedingly interesting and affecting 
by the feeling exhortations of the teacher. 
I^early all the class were melted to tears. 
My own heart was much revived. May 
this evening be long remembered by many, 
and may eternity disclose that souls were 
this night born into the kingdom of God ! 
May I henceforth live more for God!" 

"December 29. — A change took place this 
day in regard to my class in the Sabbath- 



JAMBS MESSINaER. 73 

school. I am now at the head of an infant- 
class of about twenty little boys. I feel the 
task is an arduous one ; but I also feel much 
interested in it. May the Lord help me to 
discharge my duty well !" 

"March 23, 1834. — Have much reason for 
thankfulness, and yet more for humility. 
The Lord has upheld me and borne me 
through considerable difficulty. Our Sab- 
bath-school was left without a superintend- 
ent, and almost destitute of teachers, this 
afternoon, so that two or three brethren and 
myself were left in charge of from fifty to 
seventy boys. But we were enabled to 
manage them and keep them together. For 
this we have much reason to be thankful. 
But I have, at the same time, much reason 
to be humbled, because I am too much 
disposed to put myself forward, and to 
think of myself more highly than I ought 
to think. Pride is a besetting sin with me. 
Lord, give me grace to be humble. Oh 
for a deeper sense of obligation for all 
his notercies !" 

''August 30. — Last Monday morning com- 
menced my school duties, after an interval 
of a month. This is the last week I expect 

7 



74 MEMOIR OF 

to spend in this tense, where I have resided 
eight years. I go to-morrow to live with Mr. 
Brown. Of what a succession of changes 
may this be the beginning ! Solemn reflec- 
tions should engage my heart. Where shall 
I be eight years hence ? What scenes shall 
I pass through in that time? The veil of^ 
uncertainty hangs over the whole. God 
only knows. Two things I wish now to regu- 
late — my employments and my expenses. 

'^August 31. — In the afternoon to-day 
went to hear Dr. Tyng, in the lecture-room 
of his new church. Heard a very impres- 
sive sermon on the time for seeking the 
Lord. May it be abundantly blessed ! Felt 
deeply interested, and, I trust, profited. 
From church I went to the house of Mr. 
Brown, where I am now to board. Spent 
the remainder of the evening in family wor- 
ship and private meditation and devotion. 
I would bless the Lord for all the privileges 
of this day. See to it, oh my soul, that they 
be not all in vain." 

"Septew.ber 2. — Heard this day of the 
death of our pastor, Dr. Bedell, who died 
in Baltimore, on the 30th of August. His 
death will make a great breach in the con- 



JAMES MESSINGER. 75 

gregation, and in the Episcopal Chnrcli 
generally, by whom his loss will be deeply 
felt. He is now beyond the reach of suffer- 
ing. 'Let me die the death of the right- 
eous, and let my last end be like his.' " 

''September 3. — Attended the funeral of 
Dr. Bedell this afternoon. Funeral very 
large. Service performed by Dr. Tyng. 
'Ashes to ashes ; dust to dust !' A standard- 
bearer in the camp of Israel hath fallen. 
But where is the sainted spirit? Beyond 
the reach of human wo. 'Blessed are the 
dead who die in the Lord : yea, saith the 
Spirit, they rest from their labours ; and 
their works do follow them.' " 

"September 8. — St. Andrews reopened 
this day for divine service, after having been 
closed for six weeks. Hung in black on ac- 
count of the death of our lamented pastor. 
It presented an appearance of solemn ma- 
jesty I have seldom seen equalled. Ser- 
mon by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Moore. It 
was very affecting, especially at the close, 
when the bishop, speaking of ' his beloved 
nephew,' was almost overcome." 

''September 22. — Safely am I brought to 
another week. How thankful should I be ! 



76 MEMOIE OF 

Yesterday the Sabbath was spent, for the 
most part, in a pleasant and profitable man- 
ner. In the morning, heard an excellent 
funeral sermon from Dr. Tyng, on the oc- 
casion of the death of Dr. Bedell. He drew 
a lovely sketch of his departed worth and 
character, and urged the people to follow 
him in his faith and excellence. May I be 
enabled to profit by this exhibition of the 
character of one who will long live in my 
memory!" 

'' Sabbath, October 12. — Yesterday attended 
the consecration of the new church of the 
Epiphany, which I purpose to attend in 
future. Heard this morning an excellent 
sermon from Dr. Tyng, on the great truths 
he intended to preach in the new church. 
In the afternoon, an uncommonly good one 
from Bishop Mcllvaine on the necessity of 
grace to help us to do the will of God. It 
was truly a feast. But, now, what good has 
it done me ? Lord, apply thy truth to my 
heart, and make me feel its power and 
value. I want a more humble sense of my 
owm utter inability to do any thing accept- 
able. Take away all my self-confidence, and 
make me to depend on thy strength alone." 



JAMES MESSINaEH. 77 

"November 1, 1834. — Last evening united 
myself with, the new Church of the Epi- 
phany, under the pastoral care of Dr. Tyng. 
Had a very pleasant and profitable meeting. 
Attended church this morning. Commu- 
nion administered by Dr. Tyng in a very 
solemn and interesting manner. Had some 
degree of devotional feeling during the 
service. May the Lord bless and sanctify 
it to my spiritual good ! The Sabbath is 
now past and gone. Oh for grace to im- 
prove its privileges aright!" 

These last records of his journal present 
the opening of his new relations in the 
church to view. From this time his life 
was passed under my notice until he went 
to the theological seminary. It was a va- 
luable and faithful life, indeed. I had every 
reason to love him and to be satisfied with 
him. In the church he was a pattern to all ; 
and in his own labours in it abounding and 
constant. This part of his history I may 
therefore proceed to trace. ^ 



7* 



78 MEMOIR OF 



CHAPTEK YI. 

SUNDAY-SCHOOL LABOURS. 

The Chnrcli of the Epiphany, to which 
Mr. Messinger had now attached himself, 
was founded in a united interest in the 
Sunday-school enterprise. It might almost 
be said to have been founded upon its Sun- 
day-schools. While yet but a little flock of 
Christians had been gathered there, they 
maintained a Sunday-school quite unsur- 
passed in its size and interest among the 
older churches of the city, and, perhaps, in 
other cities in the land. This church was 
established in what was then a new sec- 
tion of the city, with but a scattered popu- 
lation around it. The principles of de- 
cided Christian doctrine and practice on 
which it was established prevented its 
becoming immediately a very popular 
•church, even if its location had been more 
central. But the remoteness of its po- 
sition united with its known principles 



JAMES MESSINGER. 79 

of instruction to restrain a very large im- 
mediate increase of its congregation. The 
few families who united to constitute it 
were, however, of one mind and one heart. 
They came together upon the ground of an 
intelligent love for the gospel in its teach- 
ing and its influence ; and they gave a cha- 
racter to the church which in its subsequent 
history it has never lost. JsTone came there 
but those who were at unity with the spirit 
of the place and the people. And it was, 
therefore, without exception, the most 
united congregation that I have ever seen. 
In twelve years' ministry there, I never once 
saw or heard the evidence of alienation 
among themselves or in any of them from 
their pastor. They were a happy, faithful 
flock, loving the gospel and supporting it, 
liberal in their gifts, and active in their 
labours, maintaining a unity of spirit and 
a refinement of habit and intercourse which 
rendered all my relations to them happy 
and all their mutual relations encouraging 
to me. To this flock Mr. Messinger joined 
himself in the commencement of their as- 
sembling. 

The first Sunday of JSTovember, 1834, to 



80 MEMOIR OF 

which lie has referred, was the occasion of 
the first communion in the church after its 
consecration. The evening previous had 
been a meeting of the communicants which 
was always held there for special prayer 
before the administration of the Lord's 
Supper. On this occasion he presented 
himself and asked admission as a member 
of that flock. We gladly received him. 
Though I had not known much of him per- 
sonally at that time, his general character 
was well known to me, and his accession to 
us w^as a pleasant and encouraging fact. 
Prom that time he may be said to have 
been never absent, so steady, uniform, and 
constant was his attendance on all our oc- 
casions of worship. There was a lecture 
on every Wednesday evening, a teachers' 
meeting for a long time on every Thursdaj' 
evening, and a prayer-meeting on every 
Friday evening. There were also two ser- 
vices on the Sabbath. At all of them we 
were sure to see Mr. Messinger, however 
few besides might be there. By the early 
members of that church he will be long 
remembered, and his example and influence 
valued with a cordial degree of esteem. 



JAMES MESSINaER. 81 

We immediately began our Sunday-scliool 
at the Church of the Epiphany, arranged 
in all its departments of a male and fe- 
male infant-school, intermediate school, and 
Bible-class, making six little assemblies for 
instruction, held in six different places. 
They were all small at first ; but they 
rapidly increased, until in a few years they 
numbered near one thousand children and 
adults under habitual instruction. Besides 
the weekly meeting of the teachers for in- 
struction from their pastor in the lesson of 
Sunday, there was also a monthly meeting 
of teachers as an association for the busi- 
ness of the school, at which monthly reports 
from all the classes were given and read. 
At all times Mr. Messinger's face and voice 
were familiar, and in the language of 
prayer and praise it was our comfort and 
pleasure to hear him. He had been pre- 
viously engaged as a teacher in a branch 
or mission school of St. Andrew's Church 
in one of the public halls of Philadelphia. 
But when he came among us he proposed 
to take charge of our infant-school of boys, 
including the ages from three to seven or 
eight. There were about twenty of them 



82 MEMOIR OF 

at the commencement of this work. lie 
was peculiarly fitted for this undertaking. 
His kindness and gentleness of manner, 
and his real living interest in the reli-. 
gious welfare of the children, gave him 
great influence with them. He loved their 
souls, and longed and laboured for their 
salvation. He visited them, and talked 
with them, and prayed with them, and 
wrote hymns for them, and letters to them, 
and might be said to be unceasing in his 
efforts to bless them and do them good. 
It was impossible not to love him in this 
relation. After he left Philadelphia, and 
even in Africa, he still remembered them, 
and wrote to them. And his fellow-teach- 
ers, after his decease, have recorded his 
death in their annual report of 1847, with 
the following tribute of their affection : — 

^'As the teacher of one of our infant- 
schools, his memory is affectionately che- 
rished by many a parent and child in our 
church. It is common to hear the poor of 
this congregation remark that they loved the 
ground on which he trod. There are com- 
municants in our church v/ho trace their 
first religious impressions to the faithful and 



JAMES MESSINGER. 83 

afi'ectionate visits of the beloved teacher of 
their little ones." 

His affection for these little ones and his 
interest in their spiritual welfare ceased only 
with his life. Among the last records of 
his pen are several letters addressed to his 
beloved Sabbath-school, in which he had 
been so long a devoted teacher and guide. 

While in connection with the Sunday- 
schools of St. Andrews, he says, in his jour- 
nal: — 

"August 30, 1834. — I have been much per- 
plexed in mind to know whether I shall 
leave the Sabbath-school in which 1 am at 
present engaged. My removal to the house 
of Mr. Brown will place me at such a dis- 
tance that I shall not be able to give that 
attention to my class which I could wish. 
Yet, if I withdraw, my absence will be much 
felt, and I know not how to dispose of my 
class. I have tried to commit my way to 
the Lord, and have prayed for direction." 

"September 14. — "Went to the infant- 
school of St. Andrews, and spent a few mo- 
ments in talking to the little boys. My in- 
clinations and thoughts are much drawn 
towards attempting to get up an infant- 



84 MEMOIR OF 

school in Dr. Tyng's new church. Feel too 
mucli engrossed by the plan, so as to lead 
my mind away from other duties. I must 
guard against this. May the Lord direct 
all my ways, and may I be disposed to fol- 
low all his teachings !" 

"September 27. — In an animated and 
cheerful frame of mind the greater part of 
this afternoon. Conversed with Mr. Coffin, 
our superintendent, about leaving our Sab- 
bath-school, and was enabled to contemplate 
it with more freedom from the influence of 
selfish motives than I have done for some 
time past. I was enabled to pray freely for 
direction in this matter, and asked the Lord 
to hedge up my way, if, prompted by incli- 
nation, or any selfish motive, I should be 
tempted to do wrong. Feel now more than 
satisfied that it is best for me to withdraw, 
if I can find another field where I can la- 
bour with more advantage." 

"^October 4. — Since yesterday afternoon 
my mind has been much interested in the 
case of Charles Theodore Schinckle," (the 
little boy mentioned by Mr. Brown,) ^^who 
is probably on his death-bed. Called yes- 
terday, but he could not speak to me, nor 



JAMES MESSINGER. 85 

(lid he recognise me at all. He has mani- 
fested much affection for Mr. Brown and 
myself, and has shown much sensibility on 
the subject of religion. If it is the Lord's 
pleasure that he should be taken awaj^, may 
he take him to himself, and sanctify the 
affliction to the good of his relations !" 

" October 26. — Followed to the grave, on 
Friday, the remains of Charles Theodore 
Schinckle, a lovely little boy, who, I doubt 
not, has gone to heaven. Fie gave pleasing 
evidence to his friends that he was prepared 
for death, and expressed a perfect willing- 
ness to depart. May his memor^^be blessed 
to others !" 

^'November 29. — Attended Thursday even- 
ing meeting, — a very pleasant meeting in re- 
ference to Sunday-schools, in the vestry-room 
of the Church of the Epiphany. These 
meetings are to be held every Thursday 
evening, and promise to be very interesting 
and profitable." 

"December 8. — Attended this evening the 
Sunday-school Teachers' monthly concert. 
Went in rather a dull and cold state of 
mind; but, before I came out, my heart be- 
came warmed and my feelings deeply in- 



86 MEMOIR OF 

terested. I have seldom attended a meeting 
which was more calculated to interest and 
to arouse teachers to their duty than the 
one this evening. Lord, grant that I may 
profit by it! Oh, awake me to a deeper 
sense of my own duty ! By a statement made 
there, it seems that nearly all the children 
Who have been committed to the House of 
Refuge had been in Sabbath-schools. What 
a comment on the labours of teachers ! Let 
me lay it deeply to heart. What a picture 
of unfaithfulness and lukewarmness does 
my labour as a Sabbath-school teacher pre- 
sent ! Shall it be so longer? Lord, forbid ! 
Oh may I at once come up to the measure 
of my duty!" 

'^ December 20. — Have felt much interest 
during the week in my cousin, E. P., who 
boards with me. Have prayed with him 
every morning. May the Lord give me 
grace to conduct myself towards him in such 
a manner as to win him to Christ ! Have 
for a long time omitted any direct effort to 
promote his spiritual benefit. Find him 
much more favourably disposed towards reli- 
gion than I had anticipated." 

" September 13, 1835. — ^Was in a very plea- 



JAMES MESSINGEE. 87 

sant frame of mind all the morning, but in 
the afternoon far otherwise. My class of 
little children were dull, and disposed to be 
restless ; and, to add to my mortification, my 
class was visited by our pastor. Felt much 
mortified that we exhibited so poor an as- 
pect, and my feelings disturbed by it all the 
afternoon. God grant that it may prove a 
salutary lesson of humility, and teach me 
not to look to the praise of men! How 
much I covet this praise in my heart, this 
afternoon's experience has shown me. Lord, 
teach me by thy grace to seek to please thee 
rather than men." 

"July 8, 1837.— On Wednesday took a 
few boys out to bathe, an excursion from 
which I had anticipated much pleasure, but 
met with a sad disappointment, from which 
I trust to learn a salutary lesson. We were 
overtaken by a shower, and, after waiting 
until nearly dark, with no prospect of the 
rain ceasing, was obliged to obtain a car- 
riage to bring home the boys. The excite- 
ment, anxiety, exertion, and exposure, were 
greater than I recollect ever to have expe- 
rienced. Did not reach home till nine 
o'clock. I feel that the trial was a whole- 



88 MEMOIR OF 

some one. May the Lord bless it to me, 
and cause it to do me good !" 

This last record recalls the sadness of that 
evening forcibly to my mind. Mr. Messin- 
ger took quite a large number of little boys, 
among whom were two of my own sons. 
The shower of which he speaks was a ter- 
rific thunder-gust. They had gone into 
the country on the banks of the Schuylkill. 
The afternoon passed, and evening came, 
and my own and many a parent's heart was 
filled with uncontrollable anxiety and alarm. 
It was the night of my weekly lecture at the 
church ; and when the hour arrived I was 
obliged to go to fulfil my duty there, though 
my state of suspense was an absorbing sub- 
ject of thought. The darkness of the night 
was extreme, and I was in perfect ignorance 
whither the boys had gone. It was not 
until some time after my public duty was 
finished and I had returned home that 
tidings came to me of the safety of the boys. 
I may well say, with Mr. Messinger, the trial 
was great. The Lord be praised, still, for 
their protection from danger that seemed 
imminent and extreme ! 

During the period of time which these 



JAMES MESSINGER. 89 

extracts from his journal cover, Mr. Messin- 
ger had pursued his business as a teacher in 
the week, though in various engagements. 
In May, 1835, he left Mr. Brown, and be- 
came a teacher in the Philadelphia Orphan 
Asylum. Of this he says : — 

^'My station there is a very responsible 
one. Oh for grace and wisdom to fulfil its 
duties! My situation now is pleasant; — 1 
have a room to mj^self, and, with such ad- 
vantages as I now enjoy, I hope to make 
some advancement in my studies." 

Soon after this he records : — 

''July 30. — A circumstance has this day 
occurred which ought to be long remem- 
bered. One of the boys under my charge 
at the Orphan Asylum has just been brought 
very near to death. Two of them strayed 
away from the Asylum after school, and wan- 
dered on the banks of the Schuylkill. One 
of them, going into the water to attempt to 
swim, was carried beyond his depth, and 
would have been drowned, had not a man 
rescued him just at the last moment. He 
was brought home insensible, very much to 
the alarm of all in the institution, but is now 
in a fair way of recovery. May this dis- 



90 MEMOIR OF 

pensation be attended with the effect to 
awaken us all to a stronger and deeper 
sense of our duty! Had he been taken 
away, have I done my duty to him? One 
thing is certain, he w^as not prepared to go. 
So teach us to number our days that we 
may apply our hearts unto wisdom." 

Mr. Messinger remained but one year as 
a teacher in the Orphan Asylum. He found 
the duties of his station too engrossing of 
his mind and time, and requiring too much 
attention to be withdrawn from his studies. 
But the w^arm and affectionate interest he 
felt for these orphans never ceased. He 
often visited them, and ever manifested a 
tender concern in their welfare. 

''May 10, 1836. — After a residence of five 
months at the Orphan Asylum, I have now 
left it. I found the duties so arduous, and 
the cares so many, and my time so much 
occupied, as to afford me no opportunity 
for study. I was, therefore, induced to re- 
sign the station. "Whether I have effected 
any good among these children, Grod only 
knows. I feel great reason to be humbled, 
for I am conscious of much unfaithfulness 
and remissness in duty towards them. Yet 



/ 

JAMES MESSINGER. 91 

I trust I have felt some interest in their 
spiritual welfare. I have conversed with 
all the larger ones separately; and the 
smaller ones I have often assembled to 
instruct in the things of religion. Alas ! 
I must confess, too often with a cold, un- 
feeling heart. Yet, unworthy as I am, and 
feeble as have been my efforts, may the 
Lord bless them to the good of those chil- 
dren! I shall always feel an interest for 
them. They manifested much affection for 
me, and it was hard to bid them farewell. 
May the Lord bless them all, and help me 
to feel and pray for them !" 

"January^ 1837. — It is now more than 
seven years since I hoped that I passed 
from death unto life. But what little pro- 
gress have I made in religion since that 
time ! I have, it is true, grown in moral 
and intellectual strength, — the natural con- 
sequence of growth in years. But have I 
grown in personal holiness? I fear, alas! 
that my spiritual attainments have not kept 
pace with my physical or rnental. But shall 
I go on and live as I have lived ? I make 
no resolutions. I am tired of making them 
only to break them. I have been looking 



92 MEMOIE OF 

over my journal, and find many records of 
resolutions wMch. I have failed to keep. I 
will look to the Lord for grace to serve him 
with more devotion and spirituality of mind, 
and to put some of my former resolutions in 
practice. I want to look within and con- 
verse with my own heart. Lord, help me to 
do so." 

These extracts display a view of his faith- 
ful and devoted life. He was struggling 
through all the difficulties of his earthly 
condition to obtain an education. Quietly 
and patiently he toiled on, receiving thank- 
fully the portion given him by his Heavenly 
Father, and having at least the conscious- 
ness that he was constantly endeavouring 
and desirous not to live in vain. His labours 
in the Sunday-school were unremitted and 
faithful ; and, discouraged as he often seems 
to have been with his own state, his example 
and influence were uniformly on the Lord's 
side and patterns to all of a growth in holi- 
ness and fidelity in the Lord's service. In 
his preparations for the Sabbath he was 
most conscientious and faithful. His watch- 
fulness over his scholars followed them in 
the week. And even after they w^ere re- 



JAMES MESSINGEPv. 93 

moved from his charge he still addressed 
them in letters, or made further efforts for 
their salvation. His letters to the children 
were often very interesting, and always 
simple and intelligible to them. 

The following is to a little boy who had 
left his school : — 

''My dear Boy: — You told me last Sab- 
bath that you were going away tp stay a 
great while, and I wanted very much to 
come and see you to bid you fareWell be- 
fore you went, but I could not. I, there- 
fore, write you a letter, that you may have 
something to remember your teacher by. 
Perhaps, my dear boy, we shall never see 
each other again. You may have heard 
the voice of your teacher for the last time. 
He may never again tell you you. must give 
your heart to the Lord. How well you re- 
member what he has said to you, he cannot 
know. He has talked with you about your 
soul, and Christ, and heaven. Will you go 
away and forget it all? He has prayed that 
you might have a new heart, and love your 
Saviour, and be happy in heaven. Will you 
not pray for yourself? Will you go on and 
care nothing about Jesus who has done so 



94 MEMOIR OF 

mucli for you? Altliougli we must now 
part, yet there is a time coming when we 
shall meet. We shall meet at the judg- 
ment-seat, and there it will be known how 
you have heeded what your teacher has said 
to you. Shall we meet then in heaven, to 
live with the Saviour and angels and all the 
company of holy men and holy children, 
and be happy with them forever? My dear 
boy, unless you forsake your sins, and go to 
the Saviour for pardon, and give your heart 
•to him, where he is you cannot come. We 
part, perhaps, to meet no more. But, wher- 
ever you go, remember the eye of Grod is 
upon you. He watches you, and takes strict 
account of all your actions and thoughts. 
You may go away from your parents, 
friends, and teacher, but from God you 
cannot fly. He is everywhere. 

'^ Remember the advice of your teacher. 
Keep this letter, and read it over when you 
are far from him who wrote it. Read your 
Bible. Pray to God that he would bless 
you, and save you, and make you happy in 
heaven forever. This is the prayer for you 
of your affectionate Sunday-school teacher." 

To another little boy he wrote:— 



JAMES MESSINGER. 95 

" My clear John : — As a letter from your 
Sunday-school teacher may perhaps afford 
yon some pleasure, I will write a few lines 
to let you see I think of you though you 
are so far away. I received by your uncle 
the beautiful present you had the kind- 
ness to send me, and am highly pleased 
with it. Nothing could have been more 
acceptable than such a book. I have read 
it through with great interest and pleasure. 
And that is not all. I think I have learned 
many good things from it also. You know 
that teachers sometimes need to be taught 
themselves, that they may be better able to 
teach others. It was a pleasant thought, 
while I was reading it, that my little John 
had now become my teacher, by sending 
me such an excellent book, and I am in- 
debted to him for all the good I may derive 
from it. 

^'I hope you do not forget the instructions 
of your Sunday-school. But you know we 
must not only remember them, but we must 
act in accordance with them. I recollect 
when I was a boy, of reading an old pro- 
verb, which was something like this : — ' We 
must pay attention in order that we may 



96 MEMOIR OF 

hear; we must hear in order that we may 
understand; we must understand in order 
that we may remember; and we must re- 
member in order that we may practise.' So 
that hearing, understanding, and remember- 
ing will do us no good at all unless we 
practise. Now, how is it, my dear John, 
with you ? Do you really try to do what is 
right and good, as well as remember and 
think about it ? Are you dutiful and obe- 
dient to your parents, gentle and affectionate 
to your sister, and kind and obliging to all 
around you? Do you pray earnestly every 
day for a new heart and a right spirit ? Do 
you try with all your heart to love and serve 
God? When a little boy has such kind pa- 
rents to watch over him, and so many friends 
who try to teach him what is good, how 
dreadful w^ould it be if after all he should 
grow up to be a wicked man and never 
have the love of God in his heart ! It would 
be far worse for him than for the poor little 
heathen child, who never had any one to 
instruct him or to care for his soul. But I 
hope better things of you, my dear boy ; and 
if it should please the Lord to spare you 
until you become a man, I trust that you 



JAMES MESSINGER. 97 

will be a good man, and love the blessed 
Saviour who died for you, and be a blessing 
to all around you. But you know that now is 
the time to begin. Although you are young, 
you are not too young to love the Saviour. 
You remember one of our texts, 'I love 
them that love me, and they that seek me 
early shall find me'? And if you seek the 
Saviour now, and love him while you are 
young, how much happier will you be, and 
how much more good will you do to others, 
than if you put it off, and think there will 
be time enough when you are grown up, 
when perhaps it will be too late to find him. 
He does not say that they who seek him 
when they are old shall find him. The 
promise is to the young. I hope, then, my 
dear boy, that while you are a child you 
will be the Lord's child, and choose the nar- 
row path which leads to heaven. I shall 
probably not see you until you return, but I 
shall often think of you and pray for you. 
And when you pray for your parents and 
friends, will you not remember your teacher ? 
How delightful it will be to know that I 
have one little boy praying for me !" 
To another youth he thus wrote : — 



98 MEMOIE OF 

^*My dear young Friend: — This letter is 
written by one who feels deeply interested 
in yonr welfare for time and for eternity. 
Although almost a stranger to you, yet he 
knows what you once felt on the subject of 
religion ; and it is with the deepest sorrow 
that he has heard that you have gone back 
to the world, and given up the hope of eter- 
nal life for the poor fleeting pleasures and 
allurements of sin. After having broken 
the fetters of Satan and set out in the way 
of life, you have again turned away and 
suffered you.rself to become entangled in 
the snares of the wicked one who seeks to 
ruin your soul. What can I now say to 
persuade you to return to those waj^s which 
are pleasantness to all who walk in them, 
and end in everlasting joy? "Well do I 
remember the tears you shed last summer, 
when, kneeling in the midst of our little 
company of brethren, you poured out your 
soul to that Saviour whom you have now 
slighted. Were not those tears seen by 
angels? Angels rejoice over one sinner 
that repenteth. Jesus wept and suffered 
for sinners. Why ? 



JAMES MESSINGER. 99 

. He wept that we might weep ; 
Each sin demands a tear. 

And when sinners weep over tlieir sins he 
rejoices. But liow will it be with him who, 
having once set out in the way of right- 
eousness, falls back into the snares of sin ? 
How will he feel when he sees his once- 
slighted Saviour, now surrounded by his 
servants, shouting their triumphant halle- 
lujahs to him that sitteth on the throne and 
to the Lamb forever ; — and he must be for- 
ever separated? "Will not the thought of 
what he might have been, add an hun- 
dredfold to his eternal misery? Will not 
the thought that he, too, might have joined 
that glorious company but for his own folly, 
torment him as he sinks into the regions of 
despair? Oh, w^hy will you sell your im- 
mortal soul for that which is of no value ? 
Let me entreat you to return — 

And seek an injured Father's face — 

before he rise in his wrath and swear that 
you shall not enter into his rest. He is yet 
waiting to receive you. Hear his gracious 
words, 'I will heal your backslidings, I 
will love you freely;' and will you not re- 
turn? How gladly would the people of 



100 MEMOIK OF 

God, who have beheld mth sorrow your 
departure from the narrow way, rejoice 
again to receive you as one alive from the. 
dead ! That you may return to the fellow- 
ship of the saints on the earth, and be made 
an heir of everlasting life, is the prayer of 
your sincere and affectionate friend." 

I might very much enlarge the account 
of his labours in the Sunday-school. The 
little infant-class which he taught was a 
constant testimony to his wisdom and fide- 
lity as a teacher. He gave his mind con- 
stantly to the work of attracting and bless- 
ing them. He prepared lessons on passages 
of Scripture expressly adapted for them. 
He composed many little hymns for them. 
He wrote for them a catechism in verse, 
which was particularly attractive and valua- 
ble to them. He was never absent, that I 
can remember, even so much as once, from 
his class. His punctuality and fidelity in 
duty made him very dear to us and very 
useful among us. He kept a regular Sun- 
day-school journal, from which many of the 
foregoing extracts have been taken, and in 
which are many incidents recorded, illus- 
trating his manner and spirit in teaching. 



JAMES MESSINGER. 101 

His little boys were extremely fond of him, 
and were encouraged to ask liim freely any 
questions in their lesson. I may give a 
few more scattered extracts from tliis jour- 
nal, but it would be impossible to go much 
more extensively into it. 

''As I was speaking of the Saviour to- 
day as a child who never sinned, one little 
boy asked, ' Suppose a child had never sin- 
ned, and had not a new heart and a right 
spirit, would he be good?' I explained the 
impossibility that a child, without a new 
heart, should live without sin. Yet the cir- 
cumstance was pleasing to me, as it gave 
evidence that the necessity of a new heart 
was strongly impressed on his mind. May 
the Lord bless these little ones and give 
them new hearts, indeed !" 

''January 12, 1840. — Morning stormy and 
snow on the ground. Only thirty-two were 
present. They were generally very atten- 
tive and interested. Went to school with 
new feelings. The past week has been one 
of deep interest to me. I have been in a 
revival of religion among others, and I 
humbly hope I have in some degree par- 
ticipated in its spirit. Feel in reference to 

9* 



102 MEMOIR OF 

my past labours as if all had been done 
not for Christ, but for self. Pride, selfish- 
ness, and a desire for personal gratification, 
seem to have been my ruling motive. I feel 
humbled, but would fain feel more humbled. 
I desire to become low at the foot of the 
cross, and cry 'God be merciful!' Prayed 
this morning that the Lord would work by 
me ; and I humbly trust he did, for I cannot 
remember the time when I spoke with the 
feeling I have had to-day. Not unto me, 
Lord, but unto thyself, be all the praise. I 
cannot express what I have felt. Oh that 
this might be the beginning of a new life ! 
May some truth lodge in the children's 
hearts ! Grant it, Lord, for Christ's sake. 

"Had with me a friend whom I had 
invited ; and the fact that I had an invited 
friend, whom I felt desirous to please, drew 
off* my heart from that near perception of 
the presence of Christ and warm desire for 
his favour and love which I would ever 
desire to feel while instructing mj class. I 
would humble myself at my Saviour's feet, 
and implore his pardon for this my sin, and 
beseech him not to withhold his^ blessing 
on account of my unfaithfulness. 



JAMES MESSINGER. 103 

^' One little boy to-day interested me very 
much. There seemed all day to be a 
marked seriousness about him. Yesterday 
his mother told me that two Sabbaths 
since, the last time he was present, after 
returning home, he burst into tears, and on 
being asked the reason, he said he felt his 
sins to be so great. He manifested much 
distress. Although two weeks have elapsed, 
he still seemed tender, and. was melted to 
tears during our exercises. Must not this 
be from the Lord ? Oh for grace, wisdom, 
and deep humility!" 

" September 25, 1842. — This is my last 
Sabbath with the children. May the Lord 
bless them and guide them into his fold ! 
[ talked with them by way of taking leave 
of them, and, after prayer, left my school in 
charge of Mr. S., who is my successor. Our 
pastor addressed the children in a very im- 
pressive and happy manner. Oh that the 
Lord's blessing may ever rest upon the 
school, church, and pastor!" 

Thus ended his labours in the Epiphany 
Sunday-school. For eight years had he 
gone in and out, a pattern of holiness and 
usefulness. The children mourned over his 



104 MEMOIR OF 

separation from them. And their parents 
and families regretted much the loss of an 
instructor so faithful and affectionate. 

Years have gone by with me, but I recall 
his labours, and tender and useful methods 
of teaching, with constant delight. He was 
faithful above many. And all delighted in 
the honour which he received, and acknow- 
ledged the justice of the approbation which 
was bestowed upon him. He really loved 
the souls of the children intrusted to him, 
and dealt with them as those for whom a 
Saviour died, and whom the Saviour had 
committed to him to be trained for glory. 
Many Sunday-school teachers have been 
connected with me, in whom I have had 
great delight. A more sincere and useful 
one than Mr. Messinger I have never seen. 
And in this lower but not less important 
ministry, he "purchased to himself a good 
degree and great boldness in the faith which 
is in Christ Jesus." 



JAMES MESSINGER. 105 



CHAPTER VII. 

PREPARATION FOR THE MINISTRY. 

In 1837, Mr. Messinger engaged as a 
teacher in a large school in Philadelphia, 
established by Mr. T. D. James. Here he 
Remained until he relinquished the employ- 
ment of teaching in 1841, and devoted his 
whole time to study in preparation for the 
ministry of the gospel. Soon after he en- 
tered Mr. James' school he established an- 
other work for himself in a Sunday evening 
Bible-class for boys. His journal records 
the exercises of this class, which was an in- 
dependent effort of his own, and his great 
interest in conducting it. Whatever he did, 
he did with his whole heart. And in all his 
labours he seemed to keep the one great 
end of spiritual advantage for himself and 
for others constantly in view. In the year 
1838, his sister had gone to Oberlin Insti- 
tute, in Ohio, to prepare herself for a teacher. 
Mr. Messinger thus w^rote to her : — 



106 MEMOIR OF 

"My dear Sister: — Wlien I reflect that I 
have not written to yon since yon have been 
at Oberlin, I feel as if yon had jnst reason . 
to accnse me of neglect. Bnt I often think 
of yon both, and it is my constant prayer 
that the Lord may be with yon, and direct 
yon, and make yon abundantly nseful. 

" The work of education is a great, import- 
ant, and solemnly responsible work to those 
who are engaged in it. I think that there 
is no office, except that of a minister of the 
gospel, more dignified or important; and it 
is cheering to see how onr whole country 
is awaking to the subject. But how many 
there are who undertake the responsible 
office who are not, in the least degree, sen- 
sible of its responsibility, and who have no 
higher object than to inform the under- 
standing, while the heart is left to pursue 
its downward course unchecked and unre- 
strained ! If we are to be a family of in- 
structors of the young, let us see to it, that 
while we impart a knowledge of science to 
those whom we instruct, we forget not that 
they have immortal souls, and that to us has 
been committed the task and privilege of 
directing these souls in the way that leads 



JAMES MESSINGER. 107 

to everlasting life. If we fail in doing this, 
we fail in performing the most important 
part of our duty ; and, more than this, we 
incur the just displeasure of God, who in 
his providence has committed them to us. 
It is a truth of which I feel more and more 
sensible every day, that just in proportion 
as our own hearts are feelingly alive to the 
great interests of religion will be our influ- 
ence for good upon others. He who loves 
the Saviour most, will do the most good. Is 
it then our ^ardent desire to promote the 
welfare, temporal and spiritual, of our fel- 
low-beings? Let us cultivate the love of 
God in our own hearts. Do we desire to be 
abundantly useful in our day and genera- 
tion ? Then we must diligently seek and 
earnestly strive after holiness and spiritu- 
ality of mind. Unless our own hearts are 
filled with light and love, vain are learning, 
talents, and every thing else. 

I have just received a letter from mother, 
together with a deed of the farm, which has 
been sold. PoOr old Small Hope ! Its hills 
and woods, and brooks and meadows, must 
now pass into other hands, and we shall 
never behold them again as our's. But no 



108 MEMOIR OF 

matter. Let us rejoice in the hope of a 
better inheritance, which shall never pass 
away. May the Lord guide yon, and carry 
you on from grace to grace, and enable you 
in all things to live for his glory ! 

''Your ever aiFectionate brother.'' 

During the year 1840, Mr. Messinger's 
journal manifests a remarkable and happy 
change in his own state of mind. He at- 
tended, at the commencement of this year, 
a series of religious exercises which were 
held in various churches in Philadelphia, 
and during which very precious influences 
of the Holy Spirit seemed to descend upon 
many. His own mind and heart were ex- 
ceedingly animated and refreshed by them. 
Of these meetings for worship he says : — 

"January^ 1840. — I felt myself to be in a 
low and languid state, and resolved to at- 
tend as often as I could. I little thought 
what a blessing was in store for poor un- 
worthy me. My feelings became more and 
more interested, and I trust the Lord has 
thus met me, and breathed into my soul 
such measures of his Spirit as I have never 
before experienced. The Lord has brought 



JAMES MESSINGER. 109 

me to see my past unfaithfulness, and it 
seems as if I had been living entirely for the 
world and self Nearly ten years I have 
been a professor of the name of Christ, and 
in all that time I have hardly done any 
thing for God. Blessed be God, that he 
has brought me to see these things, and 
opened my eyes ! My heart at times seems 
to glovi^ with love and desire for greater 
manifestations of his grace. I feel a desire 
to get down in the dust and lie low before 
him, and to be any thing and do any thing 
he would have me. Last Sabbath was a 
sweet day to my soul; and I found, in talk- 
ing to my little children, how difierently I 
spoke when I had the sweet influence of the 
Spirit in my heart from what I did when 1 
had only the words of truth in my head. It 
is my desire to consecrate myself entirely to 
the Lord with all that I am and have, so 
that I may consider not a faculty of my soul, 
a moment of my time, or a cent of my 
money, my own ; but all to be the Lord's^, 
to be used as by his steward and for his 
own glorj^ And thou, Lord, who searchest 
the hearts, knowest whether I am not sin- 
cere in making this consecration to thee. 

10 



110 MEMOIR OF 

Search and try me, and if I am not, oh 
show it to me, nor let me deceive myself 
any more. Thou art the witness. Here, 
Lord, am I. Take me, and do with me as 
seemeth good in thy sight." 

This spirit of simple consecration to the 
Lord breathes through all the succeeding 
records of his journal, and shone in all the 
conduct and labours of his life. In June, 
1841, he makes the following record in his 
journal: — 

"1. With reference to God the Father, I 
would desire to feel an humble, filial, child- 
like spirit ; to be able to look to him as a 
child looks to a father in whom he confides ; 
to cast all my cares upon him ; to trust my- 
self wholly to his guidance; to rely upon 
his promises with implicit confidence, and 
to feel towards him that perfect love which 
casteth out fear. 

"2. "With reference to the Lord Jesus 
Christ, I would feel a deep, tender, and 
afiectionate sense of what I owe to him, a 
fervent love for his loveliness, gratitude for 
what he has done for me, a full confidence 
in his faithfulness, and an humble, cheerful, 
joyful submission to his authority. I would 



JAMES MESSINGER. Ill 

regard him as my prophet to instruct, my 
priest to intercede, and my king to rule and 
govern, and feel it to be a sweet and exalted 
privilege to serve him, and to esteem nothing 
hard by which I can promote his glory and 
manifest my love and gratitude to him. 

" 3. With reference to duties, I would feel 
that every duty is a privilege, if thereby I 
can serve and please my God and Saviour. 

^^4. "With reference to fellow-Christians, 
I would feel that every Christian, of what- 
ever name or denomination, and whatever 
be his circumstances, is a dear brother, a 
fellow-heir of the same hope and a child of 
the same Heavenly Father, the beloved of 
the same Saviour, a citizen of the same city, 
an inheritor of the same glory with myself. 

"5. With regard to the cause of Christ, I 
would feel an earnest desire that it may be 
promoted, and a holy fervent zeal in carry- 
ing it forward by whatever means I may be 
able, and to esteem no exertion too great to 
promote this end. 

''6. With reference to impenitent sinners, 
I desire to feel a deep and tender pity and 
concern for their souls, and an earnest, 
affectionate desire for their conversion and 



112 MEMOIR OF 

salvatioiij and to cherish, this feeling and 
temper to such a degree as shall effectually 
take away all diiSdence and backwardness 
in speaking to them, and shall make me 
ever ready to improve every possible oppor- 
tunity to do them good. 

" 7. With reference to the world at large, 
I would desire to feel a holy disregard of all 
its vanities, its opinions, and its favours, and 
to feel as an ambassador for Christ and a 
citizen of heaven in the midst of it. 

^'8. With reference to mental accomplish- 
ments, I would desire to regard them as 
valuable only so far as they can be used for 
the glory of God and the good of my fel- 
low-beings. 

" 9. With reference to personal appearance, 
dress, &c., I would desire to be free from all 
pride and vanity, and to attend to those 
things only with the desire to promote my 
own usefulness and the glory of God. 

''10. With reference to lawful gratifica- 
tions, I would desire to renounce self in 
them all, and to regard them only as means 
of enabling me to glorify God and to dis- 
charge my duty. 

" In all the above particulars X would de- 



JAMES MESSINGER. 113 

sire to renounce all dependence upon them, 
or resting in them, as having tlie least de- 
gree of merit or influence in procuring for 
me the favour of God, or comfort or satis- 
faction in myself. I would desire, as a poor, 
empty, and vile creature, to look to Christ, 
and to him alone, for all I expect, and all I 
hope for, of comfort and enjoyment in re- 
ligion." 

In this constant effort to grow in grace 
and to fulfil his Master's will, Mr. Messinger 
was making a full proof among us of his 
real and maturing Christian character. Few 
young men have ever been seen in the church 
whose w^alk in life was so uniformly pure 
and manifestly holy. His daily conduct 
was a pattern to all. In the business of 
daily instruction, and in the weekly engage- 
ments in the Sunday-school, he equally suc- 
ceeded in attaching the minds of the young 
and commanding the confidence and respect 
of the mature. We looked upon him as a 
young Christian who ought to have higher 
means of influence and usefulness in the 
world. His early circumstances, his defi- 
ciency in classical education, and the pres- 
sure of an apprenticeship to a trade^ had 



114 MEMOIR OF 

consumed liis youthful years with but little 
opportunity for mental improvement or gain. 
And when he threw himself out from this 
constrained pressure, and attempted to sus- 
tain himself in a more literary and improv- 
ing occupation, the pressure of poverty, and 
his constant desire and determination to aid 
his venerated and beloved mother to the 
utmost of his power, made the difficulties 
in the way of extensive study by no means 
less. The Christians around him were 
much interested in their observation of this 
persevering energy, this meek contentment, 
and this holy example and effort, as illus- 
trating a mind and spirit which ought not 
to be buried in such obscurity, or so appa- 
rently lost to the welfare of others. 

It was from such an interest and confi- 
dence that I w^as authorized by a Christian 
friend in Philadelphia, in the spring of 1841, 
to sound him upon his views regarding the 
gospel ministry, and to propose to him the 
means of education for the purpose if he 
desired it. It was a remarkable coincidencfe, 
i illustrating, I trust, a divine call, that I found 
ihis mind had already been directed to the 
subject in anxious inquiry and thought, and 



JAMES MESSINGER. llO 

lie had been looking for the possibihty of 
some way for the completion of his purpose 
and desire. His brother and sisters had di- 
rected him to the Oberlin Institute in Ohio, 
as a place in which he might perfect his 
cherished wish. His views upon this pro- 
posal he records in his journal, in the month 
of February, 1841. In March he records 
the conclusion of his consideration of the 
subject : — 

" Called this evening upon my pastor. 
Expressed my views about going to Oberlin. 
He told me he was authorized to say to me 
that, if I will devote myself to study, an 
individual unknown to me will furnish me 
with the means. This to me was an unex- 
pected and entirely new proposal. Returned 
home with my thoughts full of it. Tried to 
pray about it. Thoughts very confused and 
disturbed by such an unexpected favour. I 
want to feel myself like a little child in the 
hands of the Lord. Oh may he direct me 
in the way in which I should go !" 

In writing to his sister, he thus speaks of 
this new opening : — 

"I have that to communicate which has 
very materially altered my plan of going to 



116 MEMOIR OF 

Oberlin. I say my plan, — I ouglit rather to 
say the Lord's plan, for he has brought 
about new and unexpected circumstances 
which I cannot but feel are an indication 
that Oberlin is not the place for me. My 
pastor, Dr. T., a short time since communi- 
cated to me in conversation that he was 
authorized to ofler me an amount per an- 
num, which, together with the little I have 
laid by, will enable me to lay aside every 
other care and devote my whole attention 
to study for the ministry. This offer, com- 
ing so unexpectedly, I cannot but regard as 
from the Lord. It is the wish of my pastor, 
through whom it comes, that I should re- 
main here and pursue my studies under his 
direction. This opening, which the Lord 
has placed before me in such an unexpected 
manner, I feel to be an additional call to 
me to devote myself, soul and body, all I 
am and all I have, to his love and service. 
Oh that I could feel it a thousand times 
more forcibly than I do ! Yet, faint and 
feeble, as I mourn to say, the desire some- 
times is, I do feel a desire to be wholly the 
Lord's, and to live for no other purpose 
than to glorify him. It often occurs to me 



JAMES MESSINGER. 117 

that my dear sisters at Oberlin are praying 
for me, and that much of the manifestation 
of the grace of God to my soul is in answer 
to their prayers. I trust you are receiving 
and imparting good in your station at Ober- 
lin. May the Lord bless you abundantly ! 
Oh, what a changed sister is M. since I last 
saw her! Then a careless worldling; now, 
I trust, a devoted and inquiring follower of 
the Lord. "What hath God wrought for our 
family ! What a wonder of mercy ! It seems 
but a few years since none of us thought or 
cared about eternal things. ITow, I trust, all 
of us are heirs together of the grace of life. 
Oh, may we, as we have received much from 
the Lord, so also do much for him and his 
glory!" 

For one year Mr. Messinger pursued his 
preparatory classical studies in Philadelphia. 
His health, however, began to give signs of 
failure, and his journal records days of pain 
and suffering in the same aspect of disease 
which was finally the instrument of closing 
his valuable life. Yet he passed on, uncom- 
plaining and determined, in his studies, con- 
tending with the twofold difiiculty of the 



118 MEMOIR OF 

early want of mental disipline and the in- 
cipient pressure of secret disease. 

In September, 1842, he passed his ap- 
pointed examination, and was admitted a 
candidate for holy orders in the Episcopal 
church. Thus the Lord had opened to him 
a door of entrance into the sacred ministry. 
He records the fact in his journal, with an 
earnest prayer that he may have grace to 
cast himself wholly upon the Lord, and to 
depend upon his guidance and grace. 



JAMES MESSINaER. 119 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THEOLOGICAL STUDIES. 

Having become a candidate for orders, 
Mr. Messinger now sought a regular theo- 
logical education. For the attainment of 
this, he went to the Theological School of 
Virginia, established near the city of Alex- 
andria. This institution has been from its 
commencement the nursery of an evangelical 
ministry in the Episcopal church. Its stu- 
dents come from all sections of the country, 
and its graduates are to be found equally 
scattered in their ministry throughout our 
land. Wherever they go, as a general cha- 
racteristic they have with them a faithful 
testimony of evangelical truth, and have 
been an agency of unspeakable value in the 
church in w^hich their ministry is cast. All 
the American Episcopal missions to foreign 
lands have been supplied with labourers from 
this school. The missionary bishops in 
China and Africa are graduates of this im- 



120 MEMOIR OF 

portant institution. The connection tliui 
established with foreign missions tends to 
bring the subject of their interests constantly 
before the minds of students there, and thus 
not only to keep up the supply of mission- 
aries, but to carry out among our churches 
at home a spirit and knowledge which will 
excite to missionary eflbrt and promote the 
propagation of the gospel from the Episcopal 
church. 

In September, 1842, Mr. Messinger entered 
this institution. He went there with a 
watchful and anxious spirit. He found an 
influence even in theological study greatly 
tending to secularize the mind and to make 
its action earthly and selfish. Against this 
influence he desired constantly to strive. 
His feelings and views on this subject he 
expresses to a cousin after a residence for 
some months at the seminary : — 

" The intellectual advantages here are of 
a very high order, but the spiritual, far in- 
ferior to Philadelphia. Although our pro- 
fessors are eminently good and holy men, 
and the company of pious students assembled 
here from all parts of the country form a 
society highly agreeable to a Christian mind, 



JAMES MESSINGER. 121 

yet tliere seems to be a deadening influence, 
inherent I am almost disposed to believe, in 
tlie very nature of literary institutionsj as 
well theological as collegiate, against which 
students who wish to preserve the life of 
religion in the soul have to watch with the 
greatest care and diligence, ^he Christian 
doubtless always finds enough in his course 
heavenward to make it necessary for him 
ever to exercise care and vigilance; — there 
are so many snares without and so many 
temptations within, and the great enemy of 
souls is always ready to take advantage. But 
that the very study of those things which 
pertain to the kingdom of God should be 
fraught with temptation to forsake him in 
spirit, is what one would little expect. And 
yet, I believe, such is the fact. Oh that all 
our young men w^ho are looking forward to 
the gospel ministry may be fully aware of it 
and earnestly strive against it! Now, if ever, 
is the time when the church of Christ wants 
able, faithful men, who shall be like Stephen, 
full of faith and the Holy Ghost, and who 
shall go forth manfully to fight the battles 
of the Lord against the floods of errors and 
delusions which are coming in upon us. I 
11 



122 MEMOIR OF 

suppose you are no stranger to these errors. 
They assume every form and shape. They 
come upon our church in one form, and they 
assail other portions of the Lord's vineyard 
in other forms. Doubtless the v^orking of 
Satan is in the whole." 

"With this spirit of watchfulness and 
earnest desire to be kept from evil, Mr. 
Messinger began his theological course. 
His journal gives so clear a history of his 
further life in this new relation that we 
may make now some extracts from that. 

'' September 24, 1842. — Have been very 
busy this week in arranging matters pre- 
paratory to my departure for the Theologi- 
cal Seminary. Called on our pastor this 
evening, who very kindly furnished me with 
a letter to the Rev. Dr. Sparrow. Many ex- 
pressions of kind regard and regret at my 
leaving the city have given me occasion of 
humble gratitude to God, who has enabled 
me to gain the undeserved esteem of so 
many friends." ' 

" Sabbath^ September 25. — This has been a 
day of great excitement and of much inte- 
rest. Parted finally with my Sabbath-school 
children, and have been in our beloved Epi- 



JAMES MESSINGER. 123 

pliany Church, perhaps, for the last time. 
I am now to enter upon my course of theo- 
logy. Oh that I could feel more deeply the 
solemn responsibility of the office to which 
I am looking forward ! Oh for grace to help 
from on high, that my whole soul might be 
subdued and consecrated to Christ!" 

'' October 8. — I am now in the Theological 
Seminary, where I now write. I have bid 
farewell — perhaps a final one — to a city 
where I have spent the greater part of my 
life ; — a city which has been, I trust, my 
spiritual birthplace, and which is endeared 
to me by many deeply interesting recollec- 
tions. I arrived at the seminary on Thurs- 
day morning. Though an entire stranger, 
I was treated with the kindness of an old 
friend by many of the students who had 
previously received my name. The semi- 
nary is full to overflowing, so that, although 
I have now been here more than a week, I 
have no fixed room to myself, but am tem- 
porarily occupying the room of an absent 
student. Every thing about the seminary 
seems very pleasant and agreeable. 

"Last Sunday I heard Dr. May preach in 
the chapel of the seminary. In the after- 



124 MEMOIR OF 

noon I was requested to take charge of a 
meeting of coloured people, held in the 
prayer hall, in the basement of the buihl- 
ing. Spent the rest of the day in my room 
in meditation and prayer. 

" The bustle and strangeness and un- 
settled state of my circumstances not very 
favourable to spirituality of mind or devo- 
tional exercises. Yet I have not been with- 
out some degree of enjoyment in prayer. 
My thoughts and affections often run back 
to Philadelphia, and to dear friends whom 
I have left there. "What I now feel the 
want of, is grace to enable me to abide 
continually as in the presence of the Lord ; 
to live, act, speak, study, and do every thing ^ 
as unto him and his glory. Oh that I may 
be enabled to live thus! To-morrow the 
holy communion of the body and blood of 
our blessed Saviour is to be administered in 
the chapel. Oh that I may come with a 
body undefiled and a mind sanctified, and 
receive the blessed emblems to the strength 
and refreshment of my soul!" 

''October 16. — I find myself pretty hardl}^ 
pushed in my studies, and have little leisure 
time. But I trust it will be a benefit to mo 



JAMES MESSINGER. 125 

to be kept to a course of close studies for a 
time, and will tend to check those wander- 
ing, desultory, and slothful habits of mind 
which are great enemies to me. But, alas ! 
religion in my soul seems to be at a low 
ebb ; and, so far as I can observe, it seems 
to be in a corresponding state around me. 
Oh for a reviving, quickening grace from 
on high ! Have felt the necessity of this 
for a day or two past with especial force. 
How shall I ever be a faithful, able minister 
of Christ while the power of divine grace is 
so little felt in my own soul ? 

"In the afternoon went with Mr. Men- 
denhall to the Almshouse. The inmates, 
to the number of twenty or thirty, were 
assembled. Pound some pleasure and in- 
terest in the meeting. We both spoke and 
prayed. 

" Commenced last night a little meeting 

for prayer, in which three of the students 

met together for the purpose of promoting 

our own spiritual benefit in social prayer. 

I trust that good may result from it. Oh 

for the reviving, quickening influences of 

the Spirit of God in my heart !" 

''December 4. — I think I may record the 
11* 



126 MEMOIR OF 

experience of the past day as an evidenr-e 
that I am not entirely forsaken of God, 
although I deserve it. I have had mani- 
fest evidence of his goodness to my son] ; 
and although sin and infirmity have marked 
miy experience, yet the Holy Spirit, I hnni- 
bly believe, has moved upon my heart, 
kindling affections and awakening feelings 
which could have come from no other 
source. 

''Why, then, should my sinful soul be 
so doubting and distrustful ? Why may I 
not take courage, and press onwards and 
upwards ? Surely I am not straitened in 
the Lord, but in myself. 

''Went with Mr. Graham to the Alms- 
house, and spent an interesting afternoon. 
Could not speak so well as I desired, but 
had freedom and enlargement in prayer. 
We visited and prayed with two sick per- 
sons, one of whom, an old woman, ap- 
peared to be a Christian, and the other, a 
young woman, professed to be seeking the 
salvation of her soul." 

^'December 29. — Set apart this day as one 
for meditation and prayer, partly in refer- 
ence to my present spiritual state, and 



JAMES MESSINGER. 127 

partly in reference to tlie year which is now 
closing. My spiritual state is wretchedly 
low and languid. My old besetting sins 
seem strong as ever. I find at times some 
little enjoyment in divine things ; but, 
alas, how little ! When I look at myself, 
and strive to see whither my will and de- 
sires all tend, I cannot find reason to ques- 
tion that they are for the Lord. But when 
I look at the manner in which my feelings 
and afifections are wrought upon by divine 
things, I see much, if not to make me 
doubt, at Iqast to make me mourn. Pride, 
selfishness, and corruptions of various kinds, 
I find still strong in my heart ; and faith, 
humility, and love, if they exist at all, all 
seem so small and feeble in their growth as 
to be hardly perceptible. When I would 
send my thoughts heavenward, I have to 
force them ; while they run out spontane- 
ously upon worldly things. Ah ! should it 
be so ? iSTeed it be so ? Must I always be 
so bound down by flesh and sense that my 
soul will not rise to Christ and heaven 
without such an effort ? Lord, enlighten 
my dark mind, and enable me to discern 
clearly my state, what my hindrances are. 



128 MEMOIR OF 

and how they may be overcome ; and grant 
me grace to subdue every thing which in- 
terposes between my soul and thee. 

" This closing year finds me at the theo- 
logical seminary studying for the ministry. 
Of this I had no idea one year since. But 
it is not in man who walketh to direct his 
steps. Where shall the close of another 
year find me ? None but God can tell. But 
it is a far more important question for me, 
how shall it find me ? Oh t];iat it may find 
me more filled with the knowledge of the 
love of Christ, and a conqueror over every 
opposing influence that hinders me in run- 
ning the race which is set before me !" 

"January 7, 1843. — We had a deeply in- 
teresting meeting to-night in Mr. Shank- 
lin's room. I think I was profited. The 
question was proposed among us, Why may 
we not live and be like J. B. Taylor ? And 
my answer was and is. The only want is of 
a simple and entire consecration to the 
Lord. Felt a desire to consecrate myself 
anew wholly to the Lord. Why may I not 
from this time forward be wholly the 
Lord's, and think, and feel, and speak, and 
act, for him?" 



JAMES MESSINGER. 129 

These are but specimens of a journal 
wliicli runs througli liis whole course of 
study. His great anxiety was to maintain 
within himself a truly spiritual and hea- 
venly mind, and to cultivate the work of 
the Holy Spirit in his own heart. The lan- 
guage of his journal often seems depressed; 
but this was far from being the aspect of 
his life. He was particularly disposed to 
be social, affectionate, and cheerful in his 
relations to others. He maintained the 
most pleasant correspondence with his fa- 
mily, whose affections were very much en- 
twined around him. 

In writing to a married sister at this 
period of his life, he shows soniething of 
this cheerful and playful domestic spirit 
which was tempered and adorned always 
with the influence of true Christian sim- 
plicity and love : — 

'' I received your welcome epistle a few 
days since with much pleasure. I had long 
heard of it as in a forthcoming state, but 
had well-nigh given it up. Could I have 
been sure that you were still at H., I think 
I should not have waited for it before I 
wrote. But you Western folks are so mi- 



130 . MEMOIR OF 

gratory in your habits that we hardly know 
where to find you for any great length of 
time. And so, sure enough, you have pulled 
up stakes at H., and pitched your taber- 
nacle at B. for a season. Well, I trust the 
Lord has directed you and it is for good. 
I think, from your description, you must 
have a fine wigwam in your present quar- 
ters — quite a little colony. I should like 
very much to take a peep at you. How- 
ever, this cannot be at present. How it will 
be next summer I cannot at present tell. 
You ask for some account of our seminary. 
I suppose you mean the external situation, 
for the catalogue I send you gives a full 
account of its internal arrangements. It 
stands upon a lofty elevation, northwest 
of Alexandria, distant about three miles, 
commanding an extensive prospect. The 
Capitol of the United States is in full view, 
and very prominent. In the spring and 
summer it is a beautiful spot ; but in winter 
it is rather dreary, for the country around 
is almost as destitute of inhabitants as any 
of your Western wilds, and such a place for 
mud I never saw before. We have a chapel 
on the seminary grounds, the congregation. 



JAMES MESSINGER. 131 

of which is made up mostly by the stu- 
dents, professors' families, and a boarding- 
school about half a mile distant. In regard 
to spiritual things, there is a tolerably good 
spirit prevailing here, although far below 
what would be desirable. Our professors 
are all eminently good men, which is a 
great blessing in an institution like our's. 
On Thursday we have what we call the 
faculty-meeting, which is a meeting for 
prayer and exhortation conducted by the 
professors for the spiritual benefit of the 
students ; and their familiar exhortations 
on those occasions are very practical. On 
Sunday afternoons the students are mostly 
occupied in little stations about the coun- 
try, where they go mostly two-and-two to 
hold meetings for prayer and exhortation, 
or conducting such little Sabbath-schools 
as may be gathered. We have some fifteen 
or twenty such stations about the seminary, 
from two to six miles distant. The whole 
are under the direction of a society called 
the ' Society for the Religious Improvement 
of the Neighbourhood.' So thinly settled, 
however, is the country, and so bad the 
walking, that comparatively little can be 



132 MEMOIR OF 

done in winter, and many of the stations 
have to be suspended. My own station is 
at the almshouse in Alexandria, which is 
not subject to the same irregularity, there 
being no difficulty in assembling the peo- 
ple. This station aiFords valuable expe- 
rience to me, looking forward to the mi- 
nistry. It is an almshouse, hospital, and 
workhouse, all in one, so that we have the 
physically and morally wretched to deal 
with. Our greatest difficulty is the extreme 
ignorance of the people, scarcely any of 
them being able to read. Nevertheless, the 
Lord has granted us some encouragement. 
Two individuals, the fruits of our labour, 
we trust, have united with the church, and 
two more will do so soon. I have another 
engagement in which I feel a great interest, 
which is to address a company of children 
every month in Alexandria, and another 
company each alternate month in George- 
town. My long habit of teaching children 
makes this an interesting work. Should I 
ever be permitted to come into the mi- 
nistry, I think I shall esteem preaching to 
the little ones of the flock one of the most 
delightful parts of pastoral duty. I some- i 



JAMES MESSINGER. 133 

times feel quite anxious, perhaps too 
anxious, to get through my course of study 
and to be at work. I am afraid I do not 
feel as I ought — certainly not as I wish — 
the aw^ful responsibility of the ofBce of a 
minister of the gospel. My cold, dull 
heart seems to have little realizing sense of 
the worth of souls, compared with what I 
desire to feel. Oli that the Holy Spirit 
may infuse into my heart more holy zeal 
and love before I come into the ministry ! 

"Although I direct this letter to you, yet 
I wish it to be regarded as a kind of family 
letter, and be sure you give mother her 
share. I hope she may sometime have 
another son's family to visit, although when 
and where is among the uncertainties of 
the future. May the Lord's blessing rest 
upon your habitation and his presence abide 
continually in your midst!" 

"July 2, 1843.— On Friday last, the Rev. 
Mr. Boone, missionary to China, arrived at 
the seminarj^, and has created quite a sensa- 
tion among the students in reference to the 
China mission. On Friday night and last 
night he addressed the students, and 
preached again this morning. The question 

12 



134 MEMOIR OF 

has come with some force to my mind, 
whether the Lord has not a work for me to 
do there. Mr. B. has so presented the 
question that the whole consideration in 
reference to our offering ourselves rests on 
whether we are willing, leaving all diffi- 
culties and obstacles to be referred to after 
consideration. I have felt this morning 
much of a disposition to offer myself, 
although there are such obstacles in my way, 
on the score of difficulty in learning the 
language, advanced age, and rheumatic af- 
fection in mj back, as to give me every 
reason to conclude that it is not the field 
for me. Still, if I were to offer myself, and 
the committee should, under the guidance of 
God, overrule my objections and select me 
to go, I should feel as if I was in the path 
of duty. And should they, on the other 
hand, reject me, I should then feel satisfied 
that I was in the path of duty in not going. 
In this light I viewed the matter this morn- 
ing ; and I sought to cast myself on the 
Lord's guidance in prayer, and found some 
comfort in so doing." 

"July 24. — This week is set apart by a num- 
ber of our students for fasting and prayer 



JAMES MESSINGEPv. 135 

witli reference to preaching the gospel in 
China, in connection with whom I propose 
to observe it. May the Lord direct my 
mind and heart, and show me clearly w^hat 
I ought to do ! Purpose to observe the first 
part wdth more especial reference to a deeper 
view of the solemn responsibility of the 
ministerial office, and a deeper sense of 
divine grace in my own heart." 

"July 28. — Endeavoured this morning 
seriously and prayerfully to consider the 
grand question to which I have regarded the 
whole week as preparatory. I think the 
Lord assisted me. Found some comfort in 
prayer, and freedom and liberty of thought 
in meditation. Shall I offer myself to go to 
China, or not? was the great question before 
my mind. And, after serious and prayerful 
deliberation, I came to a negative conclusion. 
Oh may the Spirit of the Lord guide me 
aright! I would desire to say, 'Here, Lord, 
am I. What wilt thou have me to do ? If 
thou wilt not send me, qualify and send 
those better fitted for the work, and bless 
them abundantly in it, and bring the poor 
benighted Chinese to a knowledge of the 
truth.'" 



136 MEMOIR OF 

'^ January 1, 1844.— The past week has been 
one of deep and solemn interest to me. In 
the commencement of the week the Rev. 
Dr. Savage, missionary to Africa, was here, 
desirous to engage some of the students to 
go out with him on his return in April. 
Without the least intimation on my part, I 
was pointed out to him as a suitable person 
to go; and he brought the subject to my 
mind in such a manner that I was made to 
feel that I could not decline without a very 
manifest indication that it was not the Lord's 
will. The proposal crosses all my precon- 
ceived plans and inclinations, and it has not 
been without some struggling that I could 
bring my mind to it. My rebellious heart 
would frequently rise in opposition, nor 
have I yet entirely overcome my feelings of 
repugnance. I have tried to commit the 
whole to the Lord, and determined in all 
this matter to follow the leadings of his 
providence so far as I can discover them, 
irrespective of my own feelings, which I find 
to be basel}^ selfish. Yesterday wrote to my 
pastor, Dr. Tyng, for advice and direction, 
and shall rest the decision chiefly on his ex- 
pression of approbation or the contrary. 



JAMES MESSINGER. 137 

This proposal has revealed to me something 
of the selfishness and worldliness of my 
wretched heart. Although I have long since 
professed to give up myself entirely to the 
Lord, to go where he shall send me, and to 
do the work he will have me to do, yet 
now, when I am brought to the test, my 
sinful heart rebels, and discovers how far it 
is from real and entire submission. Although 
professing to give up all, alas ! I have kept 
much back. Have sought grace from the 
Lord to subdue the rebellious temper, and 
think I have found it in some degree. But 
there is much to be done yet." 

'^January 25. — This day received a letter 
from my pastor, approving of my going to 
Africa ultimately, but strongly disapproving 
my cutting short my theological course. 
Therefore for the present I have suspended 
the whole matter, leaving it in the hands of 
the Lord." 

This year passed, like the preceding, in a 
faithful devotion of himself to his studies 
and to every opening for personal usefulness 
which seemed to be set before him. The 
great subject of a missionary life was always 
before his mind. Nearly every record in 

12* 



138 MEMOIR OF 

his journal refers in some way to it. God 
was manifestly leading him on to this point. 
But the path was still hj no means clear. 
At the end of this year he records a full 
consideration of the subject again: — 

"December 31. — The last day of the year. 
Set it apart for meditation and prayer. 
Spent most of the morning in these exer- 
cises. In the afternoon spent some little 
time in reading, some in active employ- 
ment, and the evening again in meditation 
and prayer. Tried to take into considera- 
tion the important question in reference to 
my future life, which has been before my 
mind so long, — whether I shall devote my- 
self to a foreign missionary life on the coast 
of Africa. Praj^ed and meditated much 
about it, and tried to look at it calmly and 
in view of death, judgment, and eternity, 
and so to settle it as I shall wish I had 
when I come to review life on these solemn 
occasions. The whole question seems to 
turn on this : What is the will of my Lord 
and Master concerning me ? Will he have 
me to labour in Africa, or will he assign me 
a field of labour in my native country ? And 
the only way in which I can come to any 



JAMES MESSINGIER. 139 

conclusion as to his will is by considering 
where it seems probable I can do the most 
good. And in deciding this matter a num- 
ber of things come up for consideration : — 
" 1. My thoughts and feelings have never 
been specially drawn to a missionary life. I 
have long felt a general interest in missions, 
but not that special interest in them beyond 
other fields of ministerial labour in which 
I should desire especially to be engaged. 
Although my attention has been called to 
the subject, especially in the last year, by 
Dr. Savage, yet I could never bring myself 
to be fully satisfied that this was the 
sphere of duty for me. Ought I to regard 
this as any indication of the Lord's will? 
Had he marked out the foreign missionary 
field for me, would he not have drawn my 
thoughts and feelings more especially to the 
subject? And could I expect to labour 
successfully in a sphere where my interests 
and feelings were not more warmly enlisted? 
But this of itself is a consideration of small 
weight; for, could I be satisfied that I 
was in the path of duty, I could doubtless 
so throw myself into the work that my in- 
terests and feelings would become enlisted. 



140 MEMOIR OF 

But this is only one out of many items of 
consideration. 

"2. My advanced age; for I am now 
almost thirty-four years old. I sometimes 
feel that I ought to have been fully and 
fairly at work years ago. But now, if I go 
to Africa, with the process of acclimation 
to go through, habits and customs to learn, 
language to acquire, &c., it will be two or 
three years before I shall get to work fully 
and efficiently. Besides, the drudgery I 
find in the study of languages makes the 
idea of sitting down to acquire another 
foreign language repugnant to my feelings. 
Now, ought I to waive all these, and go ? Yes, 
if the path of duty is made clear to me ; not 
otherwise. Again, I am informed that to- 
bacco is an indispensable article of com- 
merce with the natives. Could I so over- 
come my repugnance to this nauseous drug 
as to handle it daily, and probably submit 
to learn its use, in violation of all my pre- 
vious principles and convictions ? I say 
again yes, if convinced that I am in the 
j)ath of duty; but not otherwise. 

" 3. When I consider my mental habits, 
I cannot feel satisfied that they are as well 



JAMES MESSINaER. 141 

adapted to the desultory, ofF-hand kind of 
labour required of a missionary as the more 
orderly and methodical pursuits of a parish 
clergyman. I usually find that, in order to 
get along with comfort and satisfaction to my- 
self, I must have my whole course of thought 
and action marked out before me. Could 
I then acquire those off-hand habits, and 
that readiness for any new emergency, which 
I conceive to be so necessary to a foreign 
missionary ? By the grace of God, perhaps 
I could, in some degree, although the diffi- 
culty I should meet with, as I apprehend, 
renders it extremelj^ questionable whether I 
could labour with the same usefulness and 
advantage in a foreign field that I could in 
a parish at home. But no one of the fore- 
going considerations, nor all of them toge- 
ther, w^ould deter me from going, were the 
path of duty made clear to me; although, 
if it were not clear, they would interpose 
strong obstacles. But a more weighty con- 
sideration than any of these is the follow- 
ing:— 

'^I have for years laboured under a com- 
plaint in my back, arising, as I conceive, 
partly from a rheumatic afl:ection and partly 



142 MEMOIR OF 

from weakness, owing to its having been 
on a certain occasion overtaxed while in a 
weak state. In warm weather, I feel at 
times considerable difficulty to arise from 
it. Now, in the debilitating climate of 
Africa, constantly subject to intermittent 
fevers, which frequently affect the back with 
pain, I think there is reason to apprehend 
that I should be nearlj^ laid aside from 
labour a great part of the time, and waste 
the remaining j^ears of my life in accom- 
plishing little or nothing, or else injure the 
cause, destroy my own influence and useful- 
ness, and discourage others, by returning, 
after having wasted much precious time and 
exhausted my energies in a profitless expe- 
riment. It might, indeed, be otherwise in 
the providence of God, but such seems to 
me to be the probability; and with such a 
probability in view, it seems to me that I 
ought not to go without a call, strong, 
loud, and clear, and so manifestly directed 
to me as to make the path of duty very 
plain. This is the conclusion to which I 
have come. Lord, if I am wrong, oh show 
me my error, and direct me in the way in 
which I should go !" 



JAMES MESSINGER. 143 

In a note appended subsequently to this 
record, he says: — 

" The above was expressive of the state 
of my mind, in reference to the work of 
foreign missions, eight months since. But, 
since that, the Lord has so ordered his pro- 
vidence concerning me as to bring about a 
complete revolution in my own mind, and, 
it seems to me, has given indications of his 
will concerning me sufficiently clear to di- 
rect me to go, unless my way shall here- 
after be barred up. And now I have deter- 
mined, in reliance upon his grace guiding 
and strengthening me, to press into the way 
which seems to be opened before me, be- 
lieving that he will enable me to overcome 
all the above-named obstacles." 

The year 1845 found him occupied in his 
closing studies at the seminary. Early in 
this year, not knowing that his mind had 
been considering the subject of a foreign 
mission as of immediate obligation, and 
thinking that a period of pastoral labour at 
home would, under any circumstances, be 
of advantage to him before entering upon a 
foreign field, I wrote to him in regard to a 
rural parish in Pennsylvania, from which I 



144 MEMOIR OF 

had received an application for a pastor. 
To this he refers in his journal : — 

''January 26. — Received last night a letter 
from my pastor. Dr. Tyng, advising me of a 
vacant parish of which they wished me to 
take charge, and recommending me to be 
ordained immediately. This brings before 
me a new subject of consideration, over 
which I must think and pray. Have not 
suffered my mind to dwell upon it to-day, 
but must determine it soon." 

''February 5. — Tried to observe this day 
as a day of fasting, meditation, and prayer, 
but I succeeded but poorly. Thought much 
of a sermon I expect to preach. Soon 
finished a sketch of it; but dissatisfied with 
the whole. Have lately received communi- 
cations which render it probable that I shall 
soon be called into the vinej^ard as a minis- 
ter of Christ. Oh hov/ unfit! Tried to 
make it a subject of prayer. May the Lord 
direct my mind aright!" 

"February 9. — Have felt, for some days 
past, some sense of the solemn responsi- 
bility soon to come upon me, as a minister 
of the gospel. Oh that I could feel it ten- 
fold more deeply and carry the burden of 



JAMES MBSSINGER. 145 

it to the Lord, and, with, a devout, humble 
heart, sue for grace to enable me to prose- 
cute it faithfully!" 

'^February 15. — About preparing to leave 
the seminary. Expect to go at the end 
of next week. Not knowing what is be- 
fore me, I sometimes feel a little anxiety, 
but less, perhaps, than I ought to feel. Oh 
that I could trust in the Lord with all my 
heart, and press forward looking to him ! I 
have good reason to think that the Lord has 
directed me in the way in which I expect 
to go. But without his grace, and a more 
vivid perception of divine and eternal things 
than I now possess, I fear I shall do but 
little good." 

This was the close of his career as a stu- 
dent at the seminary. Deeply as he felt his 
own unworthiness and spiritual need, his 
character was, in the view of others, one of 
exemplary holiness and fidelity. His kind 
and gentle spirit made him many friends. 
His earnest and active piety gave me great 
and positive influence. His industry and 
persevering habits of studj^made him highly 
respected by the professors and students. 
Their united accounts of him were highly to- 

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146 MEMOIR OF 

his credit as a candidate for the work of the 
ministry. They loved him and confided in 
him. They parted with him with great un- 
willingness, but with strong hope of his 
permanent and extended usefulness in the 
church of Grod. 

The Rev. Dr. Sparrow, one of the pro- 
fessors of the seminary, in a letter to Mr. 
Messinger's sister, written after his decease, 
says of him : — 

''Your brother, the Eev. E. J. P. Mes- 
singer, during his three years spent in this 
institution, was a favourite with us all — 
officers, students, and citizens in the neigh- 
bourhood. It could not well be otherwise. 
In his strictly academic duties he was a 
model of industry, punctuality, and tho- 
roughness. By his example, springing as 
it did from principle, he exerted a consi- 
derable influence on the habits of applica- 
tion of his fellow-students. In the lecture- 
room he always appeared prepared for the 
duty of the day, and acquitted himself to 
the satisfaction of his instructors. 

''His religious example, also, was of the 
most faultless kind. I really regretted his 
removal from us on the completion of his 



JAMES MESSINGER. 147 

studies on tliis account, aside from every 
other. It was manifest to all that he was a 
man of Grod of one single object, and that 
object ever vividly before his mind. His 
fellow-students plainly saw that his con- 
versation was in heaven, and felt the influ- 
ence of his intercourse drawing up their 
own minds to high and heavenly things. 
His spirit was of a most devotional cast. 
It was believed that he spent much of his 
time in prayer. Indeed, it was plain to all 
who associated with him. It was only at 
a throne of grace that he could have re- 
ceived those daily supplies of strength which 
enabled him to walk day by day so holily, 
righteously, and godly in the world. 

"His activity in doing good to others 
also testified to the strength and purity of 
the ^new life' from God which was in him. 
Though feeble in body, he did not decline 
the laborious walks which were necessary 
to bring him in contact with the poor and 
neglected in the vicinity of the seminary. 
His exertions for their spiritual benefit Avere 
very acceptable, and, I doubt not, attended 
with a blessing. 

" When he left us, I regarded him as a 



148 MEMOIE OF 

man probably destined to do niucb good in 
his day. And when I heard that he had 
resolved to go to Africa, I felt persuaded 
that that was the very sphere in which his 
exertions would be likely most efiectually 
to promote the glory of God and the salva- 
tion of men. But God's ways are not as 
our ways, nor his thoughts as our thoughts. 
And yet I would indulge the hope that our 
Heavenly Father has not really frustrated 
the end which we hope to see accomplished, 
but has only changed the mode of bringing 
it about. I would hope that, by the record 
of his life so prematurely- cut oif, he, being 
dead, may yet speak, and be the instrument 
of much good. I find it profitable myself 
to look occasionally at his portrait which 
hangs in my study, and reflect upon his 
lovely Christian character and the myste- 
riousness of the providence which ordered 
his lot.'' 



JAMES MESSINGER. 149 



CHAPTER IX. 

ORDINATION AND MINISTRY. 

In the montli of February, 1845, Mr. 
Alessinger closed his residence at the semi- 
nary and returned to Philadelphia. We 
have seen the struggles of his mind in 
reference to his future sphere and character 
of ministry. God was leading him in his 
own way, purging him and preparing him 
for a far earlier termination to his work 
than we imagined. Like his preceptor. Dr. 
Sparrow, I had formed large anticipations 
of his usefulness and probable eminence in 
the later years of his ministry. Such were 
the anticipations which my confidence in 
his piety, my knowledge of his talents and 
industry, and my strong personal affection, 
led me habitually to form when I laid out 
his future course in my view. But God, 
who loved him better and knew him better, 
had prepared a very difierent course from 
mine. 

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150 MEMOIR OF 

On the 18tli of March, 1845, lie was ad- 
mitted to holy orders as a deacon in the 
Church of the Epiphany, Philadelphia, by 
the Right Rev. Bishop Lee, of Delaware. 
His own record of it is in his usual frame 
of mind: — 

"-March 18. — A day ever to be remem- 
bered by me, for I have this day been pub- 
licly and solemnly ordained to preach the 
gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ. Oh that the Lord may impart to 
me those qualifications which nature and 
human learning cannot impart ! I am truly 
unworthy and unfit for this high and holy 
ofiS.ce. Oh that I could feel it more deeply 
and be more deeply humbled with a sense 
of it ! I cannot say that I am altogether 
cold and insensible; but yet I have little 
sense of divine things, compared to what I 
wish and would strive after. I would look 
to the Lord, and, relying upon his grace, 
would endeavour to go forth to do his 
work. "Where my lot is to be cast I know 
not. The parish I had expected to have 
has settled another minister. However, I 
feel no anxiety, but would commit my way 
entirely to the Lord." 



JAMES MESSINGER. 151 

''March 19. — Arose this morning in a 
pleasant frame of mind. Felt some little 
peace and comfort in my heart. But per- 
haps it arose as much from an exhilaration 
of animal spirits as from the divine teach- 
ing of the Spirit of Life in my soul. Yet 
I would be thankful and humble, trusting 
in the Lord. Li the evening went to preach 
for Rev. Mr. Maxwell, in Kensington. Got 
through tolerably well. But I had to read 
my sermon too closely ; and, the desk being 
too high and the lights dim, I was placed 
in rather disadvantageous circumstances. I 
think I felt something of the presence of 
the Lord. Oh that his blessing might de- 
scend upon the people ! Met there with 
Mrs. E., the mother of two interesting little 
boys who were in my Sunday-school. She 
is going to Russia, and I promised to write 
to Edward, her oldest son, who is already 
there." 

"March 20. — Read the service this morn- 
ing at the Epiphany. Dr. T. criticized my 
manner of reading. Hope I shall profit 
by it, although it seems unpleasant. I was 
somewhat disheartened, especially in look- 
ing forward to Sunday, when I expect to 



152 MEMOIR OF 

preach my first sermon in the Epiphany. I 
trust the Lord will give me grace to be 
humble. This is what I need and what I 
have asked for." 

''March 23, Sunday, — Got through this 
day with scarce any of the fatigue or labour 
I had apprehended. Every thing has gone 
on pleasantly, and I have been sustained 
through every thing which has devolved 
upon me. Attended morning prayer-meet- 
ing at half past six ; Bible-class at nine ; 
church at half past ten. Assisted Dr. 
Tyng in the administration of the Lord's 
Supper. In the afternoon came my great 
trial, — my first sermon in the Epiphany. I 
got through my sermon pretty well, although 
the close, which I had prepared as a per- 
sonal address to the people, made me falter. 
However, I believe it gave my friends satis- 
faction. And thus the labours of the day 
are over." 

His first appearance in the pulpit of the 
Epiphany could not but be an occasion of 
deep interest and anxiety to him, as well as 
to his friends, among whom he now stood as 
an ordained minister of Christ. But he 
need have felt no apprehension. He proved 



JAMES MESSmaEK. iod 

entirely equal to their expectations, and his 
preaching gave great satisfaction to those 
who had sq loved and cherished him in his 
preparation for the work. To his pastor it 
was an occasion of great satisfaction and 
joy. Here now was the little nmbrella- 
maker, the faithful young servant of Christy 
the earnest and affectionate Sunday-school 
teacher, the boy who loved his mother, and 
whom every one else who knew him loved 
in return, standing up in his pastor's place, 
an educated and ordained minister, to preach 
the everlasting gospel. And he did it well 
in all respects. It was a day of full gratifi- 
cation to the pastor and the church, and an 
occasion adapted to give much encourage- 
ment to the young and to stir up the gift 
which God might have placed in many a 
youthful heart. 

After a few weeks spent in Philadelphia, 
where he preached acceptably in several of 
the churches, Mr. Messinger went to Wash- 
ington, a town in the western part of Penn- 
sylvania, to minister to a small Episcopal 
congregation which had been gathered there. 
Here he held his weekly public service, for. 
a few months, in the hall or chapel of the 



154 MEMOIR OF 

college, and entered upon his duties as a 
pastor with a true and humble spirit. I will 
allow his journal to describe his place and 
his works : — 

"May 1, 1845, Washington^ Pa.— Just ar- 
rived at the scene of my labours and respon- 
sibilities. Oh for a heart deeply engaged 
with a sense of that responsibility! What 
has brought me to this place? Lord, I 
trust I am here by thy direction and guid- 
ance. If thou hast brought me here, and 
if thou hast w^ork for me to do, oh lead me 
and assist me here, and qualify me for it. 
What duties and trials are before me I know 
not as yet. But I would desire and endea- 
vour to rest w^holly in the Lord, and commit 
my way to him, and only ask for grace to be 
humble, and diligent, and hearty in doing 
his work. True, indeed, I have sunk very 
low in my spiritual fram^e. I mourn over 
it, and would be low in the dust of humilia- 
tion on account of it. But I know the Lord 
is gracious, and I would look to him for 
grace to raise me up and quicken me in my 
own soul, as w^ell as to qualify me for the 
work he has for me to do. Lord, help me. 



JAMES MES^NGER. lob 

and bless me, and give me souls for my hire 
in this place." 

"May 4, Sabbath. — This may be regarded 
as the commencement of my ministry, be- 
ing the first time I ever preached to a peo- 
ple whom I could consider as my own. Had 
an unfavourable day so far as the weather 
was concerned, being very rainy ; nevertheless 
the congregation exceeded my expectations 
in point of numbers. There were present, I 
think, nearly a hundred people. T preached 
to them from Acts iv. 20 : ' For we cannot but 
speak the things which we have seen and 
heard.' "Went in the afternoon at two 
o'clock to the Presbyterian church. Our 
service was held again at four. I preached 
from St. John i. 29: ^Behold the Lamb of 
God.' Felt some degree of animation, 
especially towards the close. The people 
seemed generally serious and attentive. Oh 
may the Lord send down his blessing ! Paul 
may plant, and ApoUos water, but he alone 
giveth the increase." 

"June 1. — One month has now passed 
away since I came to this place. Think I 
am able to form some estimate of my situa- 
tion and prospects here ; and my impression 



156 MEMOIR OF 

is, they are far from encouraging. There 
seems to be little prospect of increase in 
our congregation, the town is so completely 
preoccupied by other denominations. Per- 
haps there is not a town in the state better 
supplied with the gospel than this, and I 
feel as if I were labouring to very little pur- 
pose. 

''Called yesterday on old Mrs. C, an 
aged member of our church, who has been 
long bedridden. Talked and prayed with 
her. She seemed to be in a calm and happy 
frame of mind. Have now got nearly through 
visiting my people. They are a little flock 
indeed. Lord, forbid that my ministry to 
them should be entirely in vain !" 

"June 8. — Have during the past week 
found some joy and peace in communion 
with God — more so, I think, than I have 
found for a long time past. Sometimes 
have been depressed on several accounts. 
My present situation is not altogether to my 
mind. Found, this morning, some access to 
God in prayer and some sense of divine 
things; trusting that the Lord will gra- 
ciously sustain me, and carry me through 
the duties of the day. Opened my Sunday- 



JAMES MESSINGER. 157 

sclioolj and felt some degree of freedom in 
addressing the children. In church my great 
trial came on. Tried to preach extempora- 
neously from John iv. 14. Felt as if it were 
a great failure. My thoughts and ideas 
seemed to have vanished. Stumbled along 
sadly. Seemed, however, to get a little 
strength towards the conclusion. Mr. L., 
our principal vestryman, encouraged me to 
proceed in this way. Do not know, how- 
ever, whether I shall have confidence to 
make another attempt. Lord, direct and 
help me ! Spent the hour until the time of 
afternoon service in preparation, studying 
the sermon I expected to preach. Congre- 
gation small, but they seemed attentive. 
Felt rather fatigued and discouraged by the 
efforts of the day, especially the morning. 
Oh, how much have I yet to learn of the 
difficulties and trials of a minister's life!" 

"June 22. — Spent the past week much as 
the previous. Confined pretty closely. Have 
written two sermons. Spirits at times con- 
siderably depressed. Have thought perhaps 
that the reason God has brought me here to 
so unpromising a field, and so unsatisfactory 
a place, is to cure the selfishness and re- 

14 



158 - MEMOIR OF 

bellion of my heart, and to make me willing 
to go to Africa. If so, I think I can say, . 
with more anxiety than ever before, 'Here, 
Lord, am I, send me; only make my way 
clear.' True, the Lord has never done so 
yet; on the contrary, his providence has 
directed me in a different path. But, had 
he done so, I fear the unwillingness of my 
heart would have prevented me from going. 
And I have questioned, whether the Lord, 
seeing my heart so set, has not brought me 
here in chastisement, to bring me to a better 
mind. If it be so. Lord, I submit with 
thankfalness. Oh, show me what thou 
wouldst have me to do, and give me grace 
to do it!" 

'^ June 28. — Arrived this day at another 
of those way-marks which divide my pil- 
grimage. This day I enter on my thirty- 
fifth year. This birthday finds me in the 
ministry. But I do not feel in regard to it 
now as before I entered the work. I saw 
not then the trial of faith and patience which 
it would require. I feel now that nothing 
but ardent love for Christ and souls can 
make me comfortable in it. Oh that I had 
more of this! I am not in circumstances 



JAMES MESSINGER. 159 

which at all satisfy me, and feel as if I were 
labouring to little purpose. Where shall I 
be, and how^ shall I be occupied, when an- 
other birthday shall come round ?" 

" July 6. — Expressed to Mr. Lee my feel- 
ings of discouragement in reference to our 
prospects as a congregation and a church. 
He concurs, and thinks the people will agree 
in my leaving, should I be called to another 
charge. I leave it all in the Lord's hands. 
I desire to be found in his ways and doing 
his will." 

On the 26th of July he wrote to his sister, 
expressing his views upon this depressing 
subject more fully:- — 

"You will infer, from what I have just 
said, that I am about leaving Washington. 
Such is the fact. I am much disappointed 
in this place, and should regret having come 
here, did I not believe that the Lord had a 
wise design in permitting it. The town is 
better supplied with the gospel, perhaps, 
than any other town in the country, and is 
so completely preoccupied by other denomi- 
nations that there is no room for our little 
church to grow. Nor is it needed at all, 
except to gratify the very few people who 



160 MEMOIR OF 

prefer our services. Were it a thriving, 
growing town, as I liad supposed before I 
came, our prospects would be different. But 
such is not the case. It is quite stationary, 
and but for the college it would go back- 
wards. Under these circumstances, I feel 
as if I were labouring to little or no pur- 
pose in preaching to a few people in a town 
where there is already a church for every 
two hundred. Under these circumstances, 
I have resolved to leave and seek a field 
where there is a better prospect of useful- 
ness. Mj purpose is to go back to Phila- 
delphia and consult with friends, especially 
with reference to going to Africa, Our 
church has a flourishing mission on the west 
coast, and labourers are very much wanted. 
An old friend of mine, who has labpured 
there formerly, returns this fall; and, if the 
Lord shall so direct, I may go with him. 
All is uncertain, however, and I wish to re- 
fer the whole matter to the Lord, and follow 
in the way in which he shall guide me. I 
feel as if I could never be satisfied or com- 
fortable in any other way. My present feel- 
ing is, that before I enter any other field I 
must see if it is not the Lord's will that I 



JAMES MESSINGER. 161 

Bliould go to Africa. On this question I 
can come to no sort of conclusion until I 
get to Philadelphia." 

''July 21, — Came to the conclusion the 
past week to draw up, and present to the 
vestry, a paper stating my views and feel- 
ings with reference to our little church, and 
asking a release from my engagement with 
them. Thought of it, and prayed over it, 
and it seems my best course. My feelings 
have undergone a complete revolution with 
respect to the African mission. I now feel 
that if the Lord will send me I am ready to 
go. Whether the obstacles which hereto- 
fore have seemed to stand in my way can 
all be removed, I do not know. I would 
leave it all with the Lord. His providence 
seems manifestly to point to Africa. He 
has brought me here, I sometimes think, 
for the very purpose of turning the current 
of my thoughts and feelings towards Africa. 
Had I been placed in other and more plea- 
sant circumstances, I should probably not 
have thought of it. Moreover, just as I 
had made up my mind to go, if the Lord 
should seem thus to direct, I received a let- 
ter from Professor Packard, stating that Mr. 

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162 MEMOIR OF 

H. had been at tlie seminary, endeavonring 
to procure one to go out with him this fall. 
Who can tell but the Lord is thus saying to 
me, 'Thou art the man'? Oh, if I can feel 
that this is his good pleasure, I will go will- 
ingly and gladly!" 

"August 12. — "Wrote two letters to ask 
advice respecting my going to Africa. K'o- 
thing has yet turned my mind from it. 
Indeed, it seems to grow in interest as I 
contemplate it. May the Lord direct me ! 
Sought the Lord in prayer, and found 
manifest relief. Africa is still constantly 
before my mind ; and the thought of going 
there for Christ's sake, although I might 
have to encounter trials in doing it, seemed 
pleasant. Felt as if I could die with more 
comfort after having laboured in Africa 
than after a life spent in any other manner. 
Still, the letters which I receive give me 
little satisfaction, and seem to throw the 
whole burden upon my own conscience and 
sense of duty. But these preponderate in 
favour of going." 

''August 27. — I have been looking over 
what I recorded at the close of last year 
respecting my feelings and convictions at 



JAMES MESSINGER. iod 

tliat time. Whether I was perfectly sin- 
cere with God and my own heart at that 
time, in the sentiments I recorded, God 
only knows. I intended to be. But the 
Lord, in bringing me here, has brought me 
to think and feel very diiFerently. I can no 
longer say that my mind and interest have 
not been drawn to it, for it has been so most 
manifestly. The other objections which I 
recorded still exist. But they can be over- 
come, if I can feel that I am in the way of 
the Lord. Casting myself entirely upon 
him, and setting aside all inclinations and 
personal preferences, it seems as if he said 
to me, 'Go, and I will be with thee!' 
Every objection I commit to him. "Whether 
I live, I would live to him, or whether I die, 
I would die to him. My life is worth no- 
thing except as I can use it in promoting 
his glory. My present purpose is to leave 
Washington and go to Philadelphia, there 
to inquire what the path of duty is ; and, if 
the Lord seems so to direct, to embark for 
Africa, as soon as I may be able to make 
arrangements." 

Thus the short ministry of Mr. Messin- 
ger in his own country closed. He felt 



164 MEMOIR OF 

himself thus guided and prepared to re- 
nounce liis home and all he had, to preach 
the unsearchable riches of Christ to a 
heathen people. It may be that he took 
quite too discouraging a view of his minis- 
try and prospects at Washington. But, if 
so, it was not less the Lord's chosen instru- 
ment to guide and settle his mind in regard 
to the great missionary question before him. 
He was made ready to labour anywhere, 
but increasing light and conviction seemed 
to mark his path to Africa ; and from the 
time he oifered himself to the work of this 
foreign mission, he seemed to have no doubt 
that the Lord was leading him in the way 
that he had chosen. From this time he de- 
voted himself diligently to prepare for the 
work he had undertaken. And even when 
he looked back upon the path, from the 
hour of death, it was with no feeling of 
regret or of doubt in regard to the course 
which he had pursued. 

We lasij trace his course again in his own 
record : — 

"Saturday^ September 20, 1845,.= — I am 
again in Philadelphia. Here I have con- 
versed with my friends about going to 



JAMES MESSINGER. Ibb 

Africa. Every thing seems to indicate that 
I am to go. The physician thinks that the 
affection in my back is lumbago, and will 
interpose no obstacle in my waj^ Have 
this morning written to Rev. Mr. Irving^ 
Secretary to the Foreign Committee, offer- 
ing myself to go. May the Lord guide me 
aright !'' 

"October 16.— This day received intelli- 
gence which decides my future course, and 
will, perhaps, tell not only upon my whole 
life in this world, but throughout eternity. 
Received a letter from Rev. Mr. Irving, 
announcing my appointment as a mis- 
sionary to Western Africa. Although I 
have for some time past been expecting 
this result of my application, yet the an- 
nouncement produces a very solemn im- 
pression. I cannot but think that the hand 
of the Lord is thus directing my waj^; and 
I do not regret the determination which I 
have heretofore made of going to Africa if 
the Lord should open the way before me. 
Yet, when it comes to the point which posi- 
tively decides that I am to go, there is 
something of a painful feeling which arises 
within me at the idea of forsaking my na- 



166 MEMOIR OF 

tive land and breaking up all tlie pleasant 
associations I have heretofore formed. Oh 
that the breaking of earthly ties and con- 
nections, and the sacrifice of that which is 
pleasant in earthly things, may be the 
means of drawing me nearer heaven and 
weaning my affections from the world to 
things above ! Alas ! the world has too 
strong a hold upon me. I have much 
worldliness and pride and vanity to be sub- 
dued. And, perhaps, going to Africa will 
be the very way to subdue it ; for there I 
shall be likely to find little that is inviting 
in a worldly view. May the grace of God 
be effectual in me to produce this result, so 
that my great happiness shall be derived 
from the service of the Lord and the con- 
sciousness of his favour, and not from the 
gratification of worldly tempers and dispo- 
sitions ! The time of my departure seems 
to be near at hand, leaving me very little 
time in which to prepare. A vessel is ex- 
pected to sail in two weeks, in which it is 
desirable that I should go if possible, so 
that I shall be pressed for time. Yet I am 
determined to be ready; for the sooner I 



JAMES MESSINGER. 16T 

can reacli the place of my destination the 
better." 

"Sabbath^ October 19. — Visited our Sun- 
day-schools at the Epiphany, and talked a 
little to the children. May the Lord bless 
all these dear children ! It is very gratify- 
ing to me to know that I shall be in a great 
measure supported hj them in my mis- 
sionary work in Africa." 

In the autumn of 1845, the Rev. Alonzo 
Potter, D.D., w^as consecrated the Bishop 
of the Protestant Episcopal ' Church in 
Pennsylvania; and to him the succeeding 
reference is made, equalfy honouring the 
fidelity of the superior, and the meekness 
of the inferior, in the ministry of the 
church of Christ. 

"October 25. — Received yesterday a note 
from our new bishop. He has lately visited 
Washington, which I had left, and has there 
heard expressions of much dissatisfaction 
with me for leaving them. His note con- 
tains a serious admonition to me. He 
thinks I was actuated by hastiness and im- 
patience of spirit, which I must put under 
some control, or it will greatly impede my 
future usefulness. I cannot but honour 



168 MEMOIR OF 

and esteem him for his faithfulness, not- 
withstanding his admonition has caused me 
much uneasiness of feeling because I seem 
to him to have deserved such a rebuke. 
The Lord knows all the motives and feel- 
ings which actuated me. May he forgive 
me if I have done wrong and give me 
grace to guide me aright in time to come ! 
It is some comfort to me that my own con- 
science does not reproach me in the course 
which I have pursued, and also that it has 
the unanimous approbation of my friends 
here. Yet I am distressed at the idea of 
having given the people of Washington 
occasion to think hardly of me. I have 
sometimes wished for their sakes I had 
never gone among them. Had I first 
visited the place, it might have saved them 
much disappointment and me much sor- 
row ; but then, probably, I should not have 
thought of going to Africa. The Lord in 
this has chastened me, to bring me into the 
way of duty, as he did Jonah when he fled 
to Tarshish instead of going to Nineveh. 
Had I not at first yielded too much to in- 
clination in deciding against going to 
Africa, it might have saved the whole. Let 



JAMES MESSmaER. 169 

me learn from past experience to hold my- 
self in readiness to go wliitliersoever the 
Lord shall direct, and whether it crosses 
my inclination or not. I believe this is the 
only way to be , comfortable and happy in 
the ministry." 

We cannot but honour such a spirit, and 
perceive plainly how graciously God had 
been leading him and sanctifjdng him for 
his own service and glory. The time now 
arrived for his departure to Africa ; and he 
was wholly occupied in making preparations 
for his voyage. 



15 



170 MEMOIR OF 



CHAPTER X. 

MISSIONARY LIFE IN AFRICA. 

All things having been prepared for his 
entrance upon his work, so far as his appoint- 
ment and his own entire determination were 
concerned, his next object was to obtain 
his ordination as a presbyter in the church 
to which he belonged. The Et. Rev. Bishop 
Lee, of Delaware, who had ordained him as 
a deacon, was also prepared, and desired by 
the Bishop of Pennsylvania, to give him or- 
ders as priest. For this purpose he went to 
Delaware on Thursday, the 6th of Novem- 
ber. He met Bishop Lee in Georgetown, 
Delaware, where he was ordained on Satur- 
day, the 8th of November, 1845. On Sun- 
day he preached in the church at George- 
town, and returned again to Philadelphia. 
Here he remained, accomplishing his final 
preparations, until the 14th, when he finally 
departed for Baltimore, where he was to 
embark for Africa. 



JAMES MESSmaER. 17? 

On tlie 13th of November he addressed 
the following letter to his brother. It is a 
most affectionate and impressive farewell to 
his beloved relatives. It shows his whole 
heart to be in the work on w^hich he was 
entering, and is an interesting testimony to 
his affectionate and truly Christian relations, 
— to those with whom he was most nearly 
connected on the earth. 

"I have just time to w^rite you a few lines. 
I have left Washington, and am about to sail 
for Cape Palmas, Western Africa. I had 
hoped to visit old Massachusetts once more 
before going. But I have been so much 
pressed for time as to find it quite out of 
my power. The vessel in which I am to 
sail leaves Baltimore on the 15th of the 
present month, and I have been much hur- 
ried in order to get ready for it. I leave 
Philadelphia to-morrow morning. Perhaps 
I may never see it again. This, however, 
is all in the Lord's hands. He has so mani- 
festly directed my way to Africa, as a field 
of labour, that I cannot see the least reason 
to doubt that it is the path of duty for me. 
I do not know that I ever informed you that 
my attention was strongly turned to Africa 



172 MEMOIR OF 

»• 

nearly two years since. I had, however, 
laid aside all thought of going until during 
the past summer, when my mind has been 
drawn again in the same direction, and now 
the Lord seems to have made my way clear, 
and every thing seems to say to me, Go. I 
trust, my dear brother, that your prayers 
and those of your wife will accompany me, 
and sustain me in the arduous work of a 
missionary. I know not what toils and 
trials are before me. But I can cheerfully 
commit myself into the Lord's hands, and 
trust that he will give me grace sufficient 
for every time of need. Farewell, my dear 
brother ; I trust we shall meet again in this 
world. But, if not, may we meet in a 
better!" 

His journal proceeds to give us a full ac- 
count of his movements : — 

'^ Saturday^ November 15, Brig Kent, Bal- 
timore harbour, — The past two weeks have 
been a scene of hurry and bustle beyond 
any thing to which I have been accustomed. 
I succeeded, however, in getting through all 
my preparations, and have now embarked 
for Africa. In the midst of this hurry and 
excitement, have sunk much in spiritual 



JAMES MESSINGER. 173 

things. Devotional exercises often irregu- 
lar and hurried from the pressure of circum- 
stances. But I trust this is now over. On 
Thursday, November 6, I went to George- 
town, Delaware, to meet Bishop Lee. On 
Saturday morning was ordained to priests' 
orders in St. Paul's Church, by Bishop Lee. 
On Sunday I preached there from Revela- 
tions iii. 20 : ^Behold, I stand at the door and 
knock,' &c. Congregation small, but very 
attentive. May the Lord graciously follow 
with his blessing ! And now that I am 
about to commence my missionary life, may 
the Lord bestow his grace upon me, to make 
me diligent and faithful ! Propose to keep 
a daily journal. Our accommodations on 
board the vessel are very much cramped. 
Cabin very small, and filled up with stores. 
However, I feel contented and cheerful, and 
think I can put up with the accommoda- 
tions, poor as they are. Oh that I may now 
have the love of Christ shed abroad in my 
heart, and thus be sweetly constrained to 
the discharge of duty ! 

"Saturday evening, — Vessel all in confu- 
sion. Spent the time partly in reading, and 

partly in walking the deck for exercise, and 
15«- 



174 MEMOIR OF 

occasionally conversing with, the people on 
board. Our captain seems to be a Avell-dis- 
posed man, although not pious. Have had . 
some conversation with him on the subject 
of religion, about which he is very ready to 
talk. Have become slightly acquainted with 
one or two of the emigrants, and have read 
two letters for them from their friends, giving 
them good and pious counsel. Some of them 
seem to be religiously disposed, and I have 
formed a favourable opinion of them gene- 
rally, although my knowledge of them is yet 
too slight to form any judgment in which I 
can confide. May the Lord guide me in all 
things, and teach me, and enable me to do 
them good ! 

"Sabbath^ November 16. — A dull and un- 
satisfactory day. In the morning there was 
a raw, chilly, southwest wind blowing very 
strongly. The vessel rolled considerably. 
"Weather so uncomfortable, and deck so full 
of lumber, that I thought it inexpedient to 
assemble the people for worship, as I should 
otherwise have felt it my duty to do. In- 
deed, I was myself so benumbed with the 
weather that I should have been but poorly 
able to talk with them. No fire in the cabin, 



JAMES MESSINGER. 175 

nor any comfortable place to sit. In the 
course of the morning, the mate came to 
me, asking some questions about my goods. 
I gave him to understand that, as it was 
Sunday, I did not wish to attend to such 
matters until to-morrow. He apologized by 
saying that in the confusion of getting out 
of port he had quite forgotten that it was 
the Sabbath. He seemed anxious that I 
should understand that he was not disposed 
unnecessarily to violate the Sabbath. Both 
the captain and himself seem quite ready, 
as far as circumstances will permit, to ac- 
commodate matters to my views and feelings 
as a Christian and a minister of the gospel. 
I opened a bundle of tracts, and laid out 
several on the cabin-table. The captain has 
occupied much of his leisure time in reading 
them. In the afternoon the weather became 
more calm and mild. Towards evening had 
the people assembled on deck, and conducted 
evening worship, in which they seemed ready 
to engage. Several of the emigrants, I learn, 
are professors of religion, mostly, I believe, 
in the Baptist connection." 

The 18th of November is the date of the 
last record in his journal until his arrival in 



176 MEMOIR OF 

Africa. They had then just cleared the 
Chesapeake Bay, and were out upon the 
ocean. For fifty-seven days he passed an 
uncomfortable passage, and his journal and 
his public efibrts to do good to the people 
on board were both laid aside, from his in- 
ability to attend to either. 

They arrived off the coast of Africa on 
the 11th of January, 1846. The next day 
we find his journal again opened: — 

''Monday^ January 12. Off Monrovia, — 
Here we arrived yesterday afternoon, after a 
most boisterous and uncomfortable passage. 
Little did I anticipate, at the time of making 
my last record, what I should have to endure 
on the passage. I had intended to keep a 
daily journal; but that was quite out of the 
question. This is the first time I have been 
able to write since we left Cape Henry. 
"We passed out of the Cape on Wednesday, 
November 19, with a fine wind, which con- 
tinued blowing fresh for three or four days. 
On the following Monday a succession of 
gales set in, which blew almost continuously 
for three weeks. "What I suffered during 
this time I cannot attempt to describe. On 
Monday, December 7, the captain ordered 



JAMES MESSINGER. 177 

the deck-load to be thrown overboard, which 
lightened the vessel much. We owe much 
to having a strong vessel. 

'^In six weeks we made the west end of 
St. Anthony, the most western of the Cape 
de Verd Islands. How grateful to me was 
the sight of land once more ! As I gazed 
upon the island at a distance, peering up in 
lofty peaks far above the horizon, I thought 
it was one of the grandest sights I had ever 
witnessed. When we came up to it, how- 
ever, I was disappointed in its appearance. 
The west end, ofl' which we w^ere becalmed 
for twenty-four hours, is a lofty promontory, 
rising majestically above the clouds, but so 
barren as to be utterly destitute of vegeta- 
tion. Not the slightest appearance either 
of animal or vegetable life was to be seen; 
but a solemn, deathlike stillness reigned 
over all the parts we saw. One day from 
St. Anthony, we passed St. Jago, where we 
were becalmed again for sixteen hours. 
After leaving St. Jago, we had quite pleasant 
weather up to the time of our arrival at this 
place, yesterday afternoon. 

^^Such have been the circumstances in 
which I have been placed that I was utterly 



178 MEMOIR OF 

unable to carry out the purpose Iliad formed 
respecting the emigrants. Every Sunday, 
except the last has been rough and un- 
pleasant. I have not attempted to preach 
to them at all. On the morning of Christ- 
mas day, I received a request from some of 
them to conduct prayers with them, which 
I have done regularly, morning and evening, 
until within a few days. At these exercises 
we have h^d singing and prayer, and a por- 
tion of Scripture, with such practical and 
explanatory remarks as w^ere suggested at 
the moment. After our morning exercises, 
I spent about an hour in instructing such as 
desired it in the elements of reading and 
arithmetic. Most of them w^ere extremely 
ignorant. Had many religious conversa- 
tions with the captain. There seemed but 
little opportunity or prospect of any reli- 
gious impression. 

"After all the inconveniences and discom- 
forts of the voyage, I have arrived here in 
good health, and no w^orse for what I have 
suffered. Perhaps I am better for the trial 
of faith and patience wdiich I have ex- 
perienced. May the Lord grant me grace 
to profit by it ! I w^ould with thankfulness 



JAMES MESSINGER. 179 

set up mj memorial, and call npon my soul, 
and all that is within me, to bless the Lord 
for all his goodness. 

"As soon as we came up yesterday, two 
boats, with about a dozen kroomen, came 
alongside. The appearance of the men 
was savage ; yet they had fine countenances 
and forms, and I thought them altogether 
the best-looking specimens of the coloured 
race I had ever seen. In about an hour 
after w^e had come to anchor, the captain 
ordered out our boat, and, it being manned 
with kroomen, we put ashore. We walked 
up to the town. Afternoon service was out 
shortly after our arrival, and we had a fine 
opportunity to see the people as they re- 
turned from church. There were many 
well-dressed and fine-looking people among 
them. But intermingled with them were 
seen the natives running about almost 
naked, forming altogether a motley group. 
The town has a very rural appearance. The 
streets are green causeways, with a footpath 
in the middle. The foliage of the trees is 
most luxuriant. Almost every thing which 
a tropical clime produces grows here in 
abundance. I was highly pleased with the 



180 MEMOIR OF 

appearance of the town, and it surpassed all 
the conceptions I had formed of it. Went 
in company with the Eev. Mr. Wilson, a 
coloured minister, to call upon the mission- 
aries who came in the Roanoke. They ap- 
pear to be pleasantly situated. Spent about 
a half hour very pleasantly, and then re- 
turned with the captain to the vessel, highly 
gratified with the first appearance of Africa 
and the prospect thus afforded of my future 
field of labour. 

"Arose this morning early. Occupied 
much time in writing. Went on shore about 
twelve. Methodist Conference in session. 
Attended by invitation, and was introduced 
by the superintendent, who is one of the 
missionaries whom I saw yesterday. We 
are all brethren here, engaged in the same 
work of preaching the gospel. I trust I 
shall ever regard Christians of all denomina- 
tions who hold the essentials of the gospel, 
and preach it faithfully, as brethren in a 
common cause." 

"Tuesday^ January 13. — Weather exces- 
sively warm. Went on shore with the kroo- 
men, who were employed in getting water. 
Landed on the sand-beach below the town, 



JAMES MESSINaER. 181 

which I proposed to reach by going round 
the cape to the southern beach, to which a 
path from the town extended. But, after 
proceeding for a little way over the sand, I 
found the beach covered with large stones 
and rocks made wet and slippery by the 
dashing of the surf. Got very warm, and 
feared I had been imprudent. To clamber 
over these stones I found difficult and labori- 
ous ; so I returned back and went to the town 
by the usual route. I had chosen the worst 
part of the day for walking, between the 
land and sea breeze, when there was but 
little air stirring. In the afternoon I saun- 
tered out to take a survey of the town. It 
does not come up to the impression I first 
formed. The houses are mostly mean and 
shabby, and there is an appearance of wild- 
ness and neglect about the gardens and 
grounds. There seems to be among the 
colonists generally a great want of energy 
and industry. This is acknowledged and 
lamented by some of the more intelhgent. 
Much allowance must be made for the de- 
bilitating effects of the climate; but, after 
all, they exhibit but too sad evidences of the 
state of degradation from which they have 

16 



182 MEMOIR OF 

been brought, and it will take probably two 
or three generations to bring them up to 
the state of an intelligent and enterprising 
community." 

"Sunday^ January 18. — Arrived at Cape 
Palmas this morning. We had on board a 
large accession of passengers. On landing, 
I went to the house of Dr. McGill, the 
physician of the place, where I dined, was 
introduced to the governor, who kindly fur- 
nished me a mule, on which I rode, in com- 
pany with Dr. McGill, to Mount Vaughan, 
where I arrived about four o'clock in the 
afternoon. 

" Thus the Lord has graciously brought me 
to the place of my destination, after a long 
trial of faith and patience. What awaits 
me here, either in doing or learning the 
Lord's will, is known only to him. Oh that 
I may have faith to trust him for grace to 
sustain me in every trial ! I would cast my- 
self upon him, and pray that I may be 
enabled to glorify him and be made instru- 
mental in bringing many souls into his 
kingdom. 

'^ Only Mr. and Mrs. Appleby remain at 
Mount Vaughan. Was disappointed in the 



JAMES MESSINGER. 183 

appearance of the place. It seemed almost 
deserted. The buildings are dilapidated, 
and every thing has a desolate appearance. 
The children have been mostly taken away 
from here; and this is little more at pre- 
sent than a kind of storehouse for the 
Mission. 

''Monday^ January 19. — Spent some time 
in prayer, meditation, and reading the 
Scripture. Pound more comfort and plea- 
sure in these exercises than I have for a 
long time. "What a work I have here be- 
fore me ! I have need to use double dili- 
gence to redeem the time. How poorly 
qualified for it do I find myself, both men- 
tally and spiritually ! Graciously quicken 
me, Lord, and prepare me for the work 
thou hast for me to do. Walked into the 
colony after breakfast. Met Dr. Savage 
and Mr. Payne, who welcomed me to 
Africa with much cordiality. Spent the 
remainder of the day in unpacking my 
baggage and in conversation with the bre- 
thren. 

"Tuesday^ January 20. — The Lord has 
been gracious to me thus far. Oh that I 
may be enabled to serve him with cheerful- 



184 MEMOIR OF 

ness, alacrity, and holy zeal ! Dr. Savage 
and Mr. Payne spent the night here. This 
morning held a meeting of the Mission. 
The subject of my future field was spoken 
of, though nothing definite can be deter- 
mined now. 

^^ After the departure of the brethren, 
spent the remainder of the day in writing 
letters. In the evening, Mr. Appleby had 
a meeting of the colonists from the neigh- 
bourhood. About twenty were present. I 
conducted the meeting, at his request. 
Talked to them from the 16th chapter of 
Acts, about the jailer at Philippi. They 
seemed interested. It was a pleasant and 
interesting meeting to me. Was enabled 
to speak with much ease and freedom. Oh 
for grace to make me useful to the people 
of* this land ! 

" Wednesday, January 21. — The Lord has 
thus far graciously preserved my health. 
Feel cheerful and contented. The appear- 
ance of things about Mount Vaughan seems 
to improve upon acquaintance. Went into 
town this morning. Stopped on, the way 
to see some emigrants who came with me. 
They appear cheerful and contented, and 



JAMES MESSINGER. 185 

express tliemselves pleased with the place. 
They wish to write to their friends, and I 
have about a dozen letters to write for them/' 

''Saturday^ January 24. — This closes up 
my second week in Africa. Thus far I am 
well pleased. My health good, and my 
spirits cheerful. I would that I could say, 
my soul lively. But, alas ! this is not the 
case in any thing like the degree which I 
desire and ought to possess. 

"Sunday J January 25. — My first quiet 
Sabbath in Africa. Arose in the morning 
in a calm and cheerful frame of mind. Our 
worship was at eleven o'clock. Quite a 
large congregation for the place was in 
attendance, among whom were the go- 
vernor and his family, and the captain of 
an English vessel lying in the harbour. 
Preached from John iv. 13 and 14. May 
the Lord add his blessing ! People mostly 
seemed serious and attentive. Spent the 
evening mostly in conversation. It has 
been in many respects a pleasant and inte- 
resting Sabbath. 

"Monday^ January 26. — Had some slight 
symptoms of fever. They, however, passed 
off in the following night. 

16* 



186 MEMOIR OF 

'''Tuesday^ January 27. — I was perfectly 
well again. About noon Dr. Perkins ar- 
rived, and soon after Dr. Savage, both of 
whom passed the remainder of the day and 
night at Mount Vaughan. The latter had 
heard of my indisposition, and felt some 
anxiety about me. 

^' On Wednesday, 28th, I accompanied 
Dr. S. to Fishtown, where I arrived towards 
night, and where I expect to remain until 
I have passed through the acclimating 
fever. This is the station of Dr. Savage. 
He has about forty native children under 
his care. All were anxious to see the new 
missionary. Several of them profess to 
have been converted by the Holy Spirit to 
a love of Christ, and others appear to be 
impressed with the truth. In the evening, 
Dr. S. held a meeting with the elder and 
more intelligent. It was to me a most in- 
teresting sight to see native boys, some of 
them quite young, come in and kneel in 
silent prayer before taking their seats. 
How many youths in Christian lands would 
they put to shame! The meeting was so- 
lemn and impressive. 

" This morning the governor of the toAvn 



JAMES MESSINGER. 187 

and the chief war-man called to see me. 
Had some religious conversation with the 
governor through Samuel Boyd, one of the 
schoolboys, w^ho interpreted for me. The 
governor is an old man, very unprepossess- 
ing in his appearance. He expressed him- 
self very glad and thankful that mission- 
aries had come to teach his people the word 
of God, and hoped they would all believe it 
and receive it into their hearts. In the 
evening, the worship for the children was 
conducted in the boys' schoolroom. At 
his request, I made a few remarks to the 
children. The w^hole of the exercises 
seemed sweetly solemn, and I felt as if the 
Lord was in this place of a truth." 

"Saturday^ January 31. — Through the 
goodness of God I am brought to the close 
of another week, in the full enjoyment of 
health. How much longer this will be the 
case is known only to Him ; but while it 
lasts I would bless and praise him for such 
mercy. Oh for a heart to love him more 
and serve him better. I feel as I were do- 
ing very little now. Next week I hope, if 
the Lord permit, to have something to do 
in the school." 



. 188 MEMOIR OF 

Thus lie continued his daily record, with 
but little variety of incident. His health 
appeared to be good, and the prospects of 
his usefulness in the mission were promis- 
ing. On the 18th of February he records : — 

"Went this afternoon to preach in the 
native town, accompanied by Samuel Boyd 
as interpreter. Had an assemblage of be- 
tween twenty and thirty persons, and a large 
number of children, who were a little noisy 
at times. The house where I was to have 
preached was so full of smoke that I w^as 
obliged to sit outside. Nothing worthy of 
special note occurred. I told them, at part- 
ing, that I hoped they would keep the word 
in their hearts. Their answer was, they 
would try." 

"Friday^ February 20. — A fire occurred in 
the native town to-day, wdiich swept away 
upwards of twenty of their little houses be- 
fore its progress could be arrested. Dr. 
Savage and all our workmen and school- 
boys were on the ground, and but for them 
the ravages of the fire would probably have 
been much more extensive, as the natives 
manifest no kind of energy or presence of 
mind on such occasions. The mission build- 



JAMES MESSlNaER. 189 

ings were mercifully preserved, owing to 
tlie direction of the wind. Many of the 
natives were thrown out of house and home, 
and seemed to be in great distress. Although 
the doctor advised me not to go to the 
fire, yet I could not refrain from it, though 
I did little more than walk about, and now 
and then offer suggestions as to the best 
manner of arresting its progress. After it 
was over, there was much rejoicing mani- 
fested, by firing guns, by those whose houses 
had escaped the conflagration ; and we heard 
of fowls being sacrificed to the devil as a 
manifestation of gratitude for preservation. 
Oh that they might be brought to a saving 
knowledge of Him from whom all mercies 
come!'' 

Thus his brief journal in Africa closes. 
On the 25th of January, he addressed a let- 
ter to the committee for foreign missions, 
giving an account of his voyage and of his 
labours up to that time. 

^'^Notwithstanding all the discomforts of 
the passage,'' he says, ^' I feel that I have 
great cause for gratitude to God, that, now 
it is all over, I do not find that I am any the 
worse for it ; and I can only desire that my 



190 MEMOIR OF 

life and health, thus mercifully preserved, 
may be devoted to his service and glory in 
this land of darkness. Perhaps the Lord 
designed it as a trial of faith and patience, 
in order thereby to prepare me for greater 
usefulness. I would fain so regard it, and 
endeavour to improve it as such. 

" I have, as yet, had so little time and 
opportunity to look around me that I am 
hardly prepared to express any thing in re- 
gard to the impression made upon my mind 
by the first sight of Africa. I think I can 
say, however, that I am in nowise disap- 
pointed in any of the expectations I had 
formed. Indeed, my expectations are rather 
exceeded than otherwise ; and I look forward 
with pleasing anticipations, and newly- 
awakened interest, to the prospect of use- 
fulness here opened before me." 

On the 23d of February, he thus wrote 
to the children of the Sunday-schools of the 
church of the Epiphany, Philadelphia : — 

'' My dear YOUNa friends : — 

'' You will perceive that this , letter is 
written at Fishtown, which is the station of 
Dr. Savage. I am staying with him until 



JAMES MESSINGER. 191 

I become acclimated — that is, until I have 
become accustomed to the climate ; for you 
must know, when any one comes to live in 
Africa, the change of climate is expected to 
make him sick at first, and it is some time 
before he becomes so accustomed to the 
climate that he can live in it without being 
ill, more or less. And this is what they 
mean by being acclimated. But, although 
I have been here now nearly six weeks, I 
have not been sick at all yet, and do not 
feel as if I were likely to be. I know that 
sickness and death are in the Lord's hands. 
And this is true not only in Africa, but 
everywhere else. The doctor encourages me 
by saying that he thinks my constitution 
is well adapted to the African climate. But 
he says I must stay with him two months, 
and, if I do not get sick in that time, I may 
go where I please. I shall then probably 
go to visit other stations before I become 
fixed in any one place ; and in my future 
letters I shall try to give you some account 
of each one. There are five stations in all, 
some of them twelve, some twenty, and 
some forty, miles from the Cape. The mis- 
sionaries go back and forth from one to the 



192 MEMOIR OF 

other, sometimes on horseback, somethnes 
on foot, or in a hammock carried by men, 
or in canoes hj sea. It is quite a long jour- 
ney to visit some of the stations, and pro- 
bably it will be some time before I shall be 
able to see them all. There are no railroads 
in Africa, and it is not so easy to travel here 
as at home. 

''In the present letter I will tell you some- 
thing about the place where I am now stay- 
ing. Fishtown is a large native town, or 
rather cluster of three towns, situated on a 
point of land which extends far out into the 
sea, about twelve miles north of Cape Pal- 
mas. Jnst above the town, the sea forms a 
very beautiful bay, where the natives are 
frequently seen gliding about in their canoes. 
Dr. Savage's house is just outside the town, 
and fronts on this bay. It is very pleasantly 
situated, a short distance from the beach, 
on a little rising ground, and commands a 
fine view of the sea. He has a school of 
about twenty boys and fifteen girls, most of 
whom belong to the native town here. But 
they all live on the mission premises, and 
are permitted to visit their homes occasion- 
ally. The people are general^ willing and 



JAMES MESSINGER. 193 

glad to have their children come to the 
mission school, although there are some 
who feel otherwise. I think I have never 
seen a more orderly and v^^ell-behaved set 
of children than those in Dr. Savage's 
school, and it seems to me that they would 
put to shame many day and Sunday-schools 
in our own country. Every morning and 
evening they aiie assembled for worship in 
the schoolroom. In the morning the na- 
tive teacher conducts the exercises, and in 
the evening Dr. Savage or I conduct them 
and make a short address to the children ; 
and I have never on these occasions seen 
the slightest appearance of disorder of any 
kind. Most of them seem to be deeply 
attentive and interested in the exercises, 
although many of them do not yet know 
enough of English to understand fully what 
is said. These addresses are translated into 
the native language by one who understands 
the English, so that all are benefited. 

''The first night I spent at Dr. Savage's 
was what he calls his lecture-night, when 
all the older and more intelligent children 
are assembled for a kind of lecture or 
familiar address from him. And you may 
ir 



194 MEMOIR OF 

think what an interesting sight it was to 
see the boys come in their native dress, and 
kneel down and engage in silent prayer 
before taking their seats. Oh, it made me 
feel strangely! From their dress and ap- 
pearance I should have thought myself in a 
company of heathen children. But to see 
them upon their knees in prayer made me 
feel as if I was in a company of Christian 
children, such as I had never seen before. 
I thought of some of our Sunday-schools. 
Yes, dear children, I thought of you. How 
many of you are there who go to lecture 
or to the prayer-meeting, and, before taking 
your seats, kneel down and ask the blessing 
of God in silent prayer? Ah, take care, 
dear young friends, that the heathen chil- 
dren of Africa do not rise up in judgment 
with you and condemn you. 

''But perhaps you will think that they do 
this because they are taught and are re- 
quired to do it. I thought myself that this 
might be the case, and on inquiry I was told 
that this was not so, but they did it entirely 
of their own accord. Every Sunday after- 
noon they are formed into a Sunday-school. 
I sometimes go in and talk to them a little 



JAMES MESSINaER. 195 

while, and their orderly conduct and serions 
attention to what is said make it pleasant 
to do so. I once told them about our 
schools at home, and how you had sent me 
out to be a missionary to them, at which 
they seemed to be much pleased and inte- 
rested. They are very fond of singing ; and 
the hymn 

' Oh that will be joyful/ 

which I have been trying to teach them, has 
become quite a favourite with them. 

"But I suppose you will be interested to 
hear about some of the children more par- 
ticularly. Although there are none in Dr. 
Savage's school supported by our church, 
yet there are some, I dare say, you will be 
pleased to hear about; so I will tell you 
about a few of them. The doctor's oldest 
boy is Samuel Boyd. His native name is 
Minleh. He has been in the mission school 
several years, and has now grown up to be 
a young man, and Dr. Savage intends soon 
to make him a teacher, and give him a 
school in the native town. Samuel has been 
for a long time a member of the church, and 
has given every reason to hope that he is truly 
a good and pious young man, and bids fair 



196 MEMOIR OF 

to be very useful among his people. He acts 
as the doctor's interpreter whenever he goes . 
to preach in the native towns, and is some- 
times employed also in- teaching the school. 
He seems to be highly esteemed b}' all who 
know him. There are two other large boys 
in the school from Rocktown, which is be- 
tween Fishtown and Cape Palmas. They 
were both with Dr. Savage at Mount 
Yaughan ; but when he removed to Fish- 
town it was some time before he was ready 
to receive them again, and the boys went 
home for a time. When the doctor was 
ready to receive them, the father of one would 
not permit his son to return, but wished 
to keep him at home. But the boy was so 
anxious to get to the mission school again, 
that he ran away from his father and re- 
turned to the doctor. His father was quite 
displeased at first, and wanted the doctor to 
send him home again. But the doctor 
went to see the man, and after a long time 
he finally consented to let his son stay. 
This boy's name is "William Henry Harrison. 
He has always been a remarkablj^ good and 
obedient boy in school. He thinks the Lord 
has changed his heart, and Dr. Savage has 



JAMES MESSINGER. 197 

great hopes of him. The other boy is a 
very good boy also. He is very much afraid 
that his friends at home will try to take him 
from school. And whenever he goes past 
the town where they live, as he sometimes 
does when he is sent to Cape Palmas, he 
hmTies on for fear of being stopped and kept 
at home. Another boy who is a fine pro- 
mising lad is James May. James is about 
thirteen years old. His native name is 
Tahneh. His parents live at Fishtown, and 
rank as very respectable people in the town. . 
I met James at Cape Palmas before I came 
to him with Dr. Savage. "When he was 
first introduced to me, I told him something 
about Dr. May, for whom he was named, 
and whom he knew very well ; and he seemed 
to be much pleased to hear about him. 
James thinks the Lord has given him a new 
heart, and gives Dr. Savage great encourage- 
ment to hope that it is really so. The doc- 
tor told me that some time ago James came 
to him with the big tears rolling down his 
cheeks, and begged that he would pray for 
him. 'Why,' says the doctor, ' what is the 
matter?' 'Oh,' said he, 'my sins lie heavy 
on my heart.' Ever since that time he has 

17* 



198 MEMOIR OF 

been so good a boy that the doctor hopes 
his heart is really new. He is in the first 
class in school, and, although much younger 
than some of the others, he is one of the 
most intelligent boys the doctor has. 

^'Another boy I must mention is Alonzo 
Potter. Alonzo is about twelve years old, 
and appears to be a very fine, amiable 
boy. He cannot speak English yet, so I 
have not been able to talk with him. His 
parents live in Fishtown, and are about the 
• best-looking native people I have seen. 
Alonzo's native name is Keemoo. There 
is something in his appearance and man- 
ners that interests me very much, and I 
trust he will grow up to be a useful and 
good man. 

''Another fine, interesting little boy is 
John Farr. John is a little boy about eight 
or ten years old. His native name is Tib- 
bah. His father lives at Cape Pal mas, and 
was for a long time connected with the Rev. 
Mr. Wilson's mission, and has long since 
given up worshipping idols, although I am 
sorry to say he does not appear to be a 
Christian. Yet he is very willing his chil- 
dren should attend the mission school. Lit- 



JAMES MESSINGER. 199 

tie John has one of the brightest and most 
interesting countenances I think I have 
ever seen in Africa. He cannot speak Eng- 
lish well, and consequently I cannot talk 
with him ; but his appearance and manners 
are very pleasing, and, like those of the 
last-named hoj^ interest me very much. 

^'One more little boy I must tell you 
about, and that is Richard Newton. He is 
a very little boy, about six or eight years 
old. His native name is Worroh. When 
he was first introduced to me, I was told 
he was the little prince ; but you must not 
imagine he was dressed in gold and trin- 
kets because I tell you he is a prince. He 
wore a plain, blue frock, just like the 
other little boys in the mission school, 
without any thing to distinguish him 
from the rest; and yet he is as really a 
prince as the little Prince Albert Edward 
in England. His father is the king of the 
Fishtown district. Little Eichard is quite 
a remarkable child. Although he has not 
been in the school above seven or eight 
months, and cannot yet speak English, he 
has learned to read quite well in the Testa- 
ment, although unable to understand the 



200 MEMOIR 01 

meaning of the words. The other day, the 
kingj his father, came in, as the parents of 
the children very frequently do, and he 
called Eichard to his side to hear him read. 
The little boy went with his Testament in 
his hand, and you may suppose what a 
pleasing sight it was to see a little boy, six 
or eight years old, reading the Testament 
to his heathen father. The way the doctor 
came to have this little boy in his school is 
quite interesting. One time the doctor was 
out, engaged in some kind of business with 
a number of the men of the town, among 
whom w^as the king and his little son ; and 
while they were sitting together the little 
boy left his father and came and sat down 
beside the doctor. The doctor was inte- 
rested in his appearance, and said some- 
thing to him about coming to his school, 
and from that time the idea of going to 
school seemed to fill the little boy's mind, 
and he teased his father until he was obliged 
to bring him ; and, although he was much 
younger than those the doctor was accus- 
tomed to receive, jet such was his anxiety 
to come that the doctor was induced to take 
him. 



JAMES MESSINGER. 201 

"Are there not those of my little friends 
at home who will pray that this little prince 
may grow up to be a Christian king, and 
turn his people away from their foolish 
idols to love and serve God ? Who can tell 
how much this little boy may do if he 
grows up with a heart to serve the Lord? 
There are also many very fine girls in Dr. 
Savage's school, but I have not become so 
well acquainted with them as with the 
boys. 

''I will only mention one of whom I have 
heard Mrs. Savage speak as a very excel- 
lent little girl. Her name is Ellen May. 
She is about twelve or thirteen years old. 
Mrs. Savage, who has the principal charge 
of the girls, seems to put great confidence 
in Ellen, and sometimes, when she goes to 
visit the native town, takes her to interpret 
for her; and she is very useful to Mrs. 
Savage in various ways. I am unable to 
say whether Ellen professes to have a new 
heart or not. All the girls seem to be very 
serious and attentive to religious instruc- 
tion. I could speak of a great many other 
children, but it would make my letter too 
long. It is a very encouraging circum- 



202 MEMOIR OF 

stance that many of the children in Dr. 
Savage's school belong to the first families 
in the town, and it is to be hoped, when 
these children grow up, they will exert a 
very great influence for good. I think the 
chief hope of doing good to the African 
people is by educating the children. The 
grown-up people often say that they are too 
old to turn away from the habits and the 
religion of their forefathers, but the mis- 
sionary may take their children and teach 
them 'white man's fashion^'' and when they 
grow up they will follow it ; and they seem 
very willing that this should be the case, 
and appear to feel fully sensible that it will 
be far better for them than if they grow up 
in ignorance and heathenism. 

"But I have written you a very long 
letter, and I think it is now time to stop. 
As soon as I can find opportunity, I shall 
try to write again, and I hope by that time 
I shall be able to tell you something about 
the children in whom you are more particu- 
larly interested; and in the mean time I 
hope none of you will forget Africa^" 

On the 5th of March he wrote another 



JAMES MESSINGER. 203 

letter to the Sabbath-schools of the Church 
of the Epiphany, as follows: — 

^'This morning an occurrence took place 
which interested me exceedingly. Some 
few weeks since, a boy about twelve or 
thirteen years old came to Dr. Savage from 
Eocktown, and desired to enter his school. 
Upon questioning the boy, the doctor ascer- 
tained that he had run away from home 
and come to school without permission from 
his parents. His practice, however, in such 
cases, is to receive the children, and keep 
them until their parents or friends come for 
them, and then endeavour to persuade them 
to let them stay ; for it is commonly the case, 
that although the boys run away from home, 
yet their parents know well where they have 
gone, and will either come or send for them 
to return. The boy was consequently re- 
ceived, and has been with the doctor ever 
since, and has appeared to be an amiable, 
well-disposed boy. 

" This morning, immediately after prayers, 
the boy came into the house, evidently much 
alarmed, and said that his friends had come 
to take him away. 'Well,' said the doctor, 
^do you want to go?' The boy answered 



204 MEMOIR OF 

' No !' with much apparent earnestness. The 
doctor then went to see the man who had . 
come for hhii. He had seated himself in 
the *^ native-house,' (a room, one side appro- 
priated to the reception of the natives, into 
which they can come at any hour of the 
day.) In the mean time, the boy had retired 
to the piazza on the opposite side of the 
house, evidently to conceal himself from his 
relatives. 

''The doctor found that the man who had 
come for him was his uncle, acting in the 
capacity of father, the boy's own father being 
dead. The man stated that the boy had 
run away, and he had come to take him 
back. The doctor observed that the boy had 
done very wrong in running away, and that 
he disapproved of such conduct very much ; 
but, as the boy's heart seemed to have come 
up strong for book, (an idiom of their lan- 
guage,) he thought it would now be best to 
let him stay. The man replied that this 
was the only boy he had, and, it being farm- 
cutting season, he would have no one to 
carry back and forth his bill-hook, (an in- 
strument for cutting down bushes,) help him 
make his farm, nor to do any little work. 



JAMES MESSINGER. 205 

^ Well/ said the doctor, ' but now, as his heart 
is all for book-side, (another idiom,) suppose 
you take him away ; his heart will not sit 
down, (idiomatic ;) he will run away again ; 
so you had better let him stay.' The man 
answered that he thought he could keep him 
at home. ^But how will you keep him?' 
says the doctor ; ' has he not run away once ? 
and why will he not run away again?' 
The man did not seem prepared to say how 
he would keep him, and hardly to know 
what answer to give, but seemed deter- 
mined to take the boy away. The doctor then 
again said it was true the boy had done 
wrong in running away, and that he disap- 
proved of it very much. He taught all the 
children in his school that they must love 
and honour their parents ; but that he had 
always found in Africa, that when a boy's 
heart was set upon book his parents could 
not keep him at home, and it w^as no use to 
try; 'but more,' said he, 4f the boy stays 
in school and learns book, and God's word, 
then he will learn to do right and to love 
his parents and relatives ; and then, if God 
should give him that new heart which we 
teach all the children they must have, he 

18 



2U0 MEMOIR OF 

will come up a good man for his family, a 
good man for his time, and a good man for 
his country, and this is what we desire him 
to be.' The doctor was now called away to 
attend to something else, and left the man 
to himself, who still seemed determined not 
to leave the boy. After a while the doctor 
returned, and sat down to talk with the man 
again, and went over with pretty much the 
same arguments again in answer to the 
same objections. At length the man began 
to get tired of his objections, and finally 
gave his consent to the boy's staying in 
school. 'Well, now,' says the doctor, 'sup- 
pose you give me ''a book" for the boy, and 
then that book will always speak one — a 
true one.' What is meant hj giving book is 
to sign a paper giving up the boy to be 
educated in the mission school. The man 
consented, and the doctor drew up a paper to 
that effect, which the man signed by attach- 
ing a mark to his name, written by the doctor. 
But the whole difficulty was not yet settled ; 
for, just as the man had signed the paper, 
the boy's mother came in, having followed 
the man and just arrived; and now the 
whole palaver (talk) must be gone through 



JAMES MESSINGER. 207 

again, she having an equal, a superior, right 
to that of the man, being his mother, and 
equally unwilling to leave the boy. The 
doctor told her, as he had told the man, that 
it was bad in the boy to run away from her ; 
that he ought to love and obey her; but now, 
as his heart was 'all for book,' she had 
better let him stay. She made similar objec- 
tions to those of the man. She had no boy 
to catch fish for her, no boy to run on 
errailds for her, and she could not spare 
him. The doctor told her that he had heard 
plenty of people say the same thing, but 
after a while, when they found how much 
good it did their children to come to school 
and learn book, they were glad they had 
given them up. After a while, the woman 
also gave her consent that the boy should 
stay, and gave book for him, just as the 
man had done. But now came the most 
affecting part of the whole scene. After 
they had both signed the paper, the boy was 
called in. He came with great reluctance, 
apparently still afraid he was going to be 
taken away. The doctor encouraged him by 
telling him that his relatives had consented 
to let him stay. When he came into the 



208 MEMOIR OF 

presence of Ms uncle and mother, he hung 
down hi.s head, seeming to be half-ashamed 
that he had run away from them, and half- 
afraid that they were going to take him 
back again. The doctor now addressed him, 
and told him he had done a bad thing in 
running away from his mother and uncle, 
but now he had been talking with them, and 
they had been so kind as to consent to let 
him stay, notwithstanding his bad conduct 
towards them ; and now he must love them, 
and try in future to be a good son, and thus 
make .up for his past faults. He then called 
on the mother to take her son and put his 
hand in his, thus committing him to his 
care. But this seemed almost too much for 
the mother, and there was evidently a great 
struggle in her feelings. The idea of giving 
up her boy, his desire to leave her and stay 
at school, and perhaps other considerations, 
rose up in her mind and seemed almost to 
overcome her. She rose to do as the doctor 
had requested, but hesitated, and turned her 
head aside and brushed away the tears. At 
length she summoned resolution, and, step- 
ping forward, seized the boy's hand and 
placed it in the doctor's without speaking a 



JAMES MESSINGER. 209 

word, and thus tlie boy was formally given 
up to the doctor to be educated in the mission 
school. The doctor then promised that he 
would be a father to the boy, and that Mrs. 
Savage would be a mother to him. The 
mother and uncle then each received a small 
present from the doctor, shook hands, and de- 
parted, apparently satisfied and pleased ; and 
thus the whole afiair was settled, or, in the 
idiom of the natives, the palaver was set 

" I was a spectator of the whole scene, 
and nothing I have witnessed in Africa has 
interested me so much; and, thinking the 
account of it would be interesting to the 
children of our Sabbath-school at home, I 
have been thus particular in writing it out, 
with the design of sending it home. The 
doctor has named the boy Legh Richmond, 
and he is now a beneficiary of some Sab- 
bath-school in the United States. May the 
Lord bless the instruction he receives, and 
cause him to grow up a man of God, like 
the one whose name he bears !" 

The following letter is supposed to have 
been addressed to a particular class of boys 
in one of the schools in which he had been 



210 MEMOIR OF 

engaged as a teacher, in Philadelphia, pro- 
bably the institution of Mr. James : — 

"My dear YouNa Friends: — 

"I have been, for some time past, intend- 
ing to write you a letter, in order to have it 
ready against an opportunity occurs of send- 
ing it. And, although it will not reach you 
until Jong after the date, yet, from this dis- 
tant region, I suppose it will not be the less 
interesting on that account. Although with 
many of you I have little or no personal ac- 
quaintance, yet I suppose you will all be in- 
terested to hear from a missionary in Africa, 
who was once a teacher in your school. 
Often do I think of the many pleasant years 
I spent in the institution of which you are 
members, and, should I ever be permitted to 
return to my native land, I shall hope to 
find those with whom I was formerly asso- 
ciated there occupying stations of respecta- 
bility and usefulness. Boys like you, en- 
joying all the privileges and advantages 
you possess, can scarcely be capable of ap- 
preciating them in their full value while in 
the midst of them. Were you to go out 
into a heathen land, and witness the state 



JAMES MESSINGER. 211 

of ignorance and degradation in wliieli 
youth, grow up, you might then be able to 
form some just estimate of the happiness of 
your lot, cast as it is in the midst of a civil- 
ized, enlightened, and Christian land. How- 
ever, I would not speak disparagingly of 
the African youth. Considering their cir- 
cumstances, I think they generally do credit 
to the race to which they belong. We -have, 
in our mission schools, many fine, interest- 
ing boys, who, had they enjoyed your ad- 
vantages from infancy, would perhaps not 
have fallen very far below any of you in 
intelligence. I did not suppose, until I 
came among them, that I could feel that 
interest in African boys that I now do in 
those with whom I have become acquainted. 
I think the chief hope of Africa depends 
upon the education of its youth, and it is 
our great hope that the j^outh of our mis- 
sion schools will grow up to lead tlie Avay 
among their countrymen in civilization, 
Christianity, and every thing that is good. 
Pains are taken to impress it upon their 
minds that this is our object in educating 
them ; and, indeed, this seems to be gene- 
rally understood among the people by whom 



212 MEMOiE or 

our mission stations are surrounded. Many 
of the children regard it as quite a privilege 
to be placed in the mission schools. Cases 
are not unfrequent of boys running away 
from home, and coming a distance of seve- 
ral miles, and asking admission into the 
schools. In such eases, they are always 
received and kept until an opportunity is 
afforded of conferring with their parents 
and friends, who can generally be induced 
by a trifling present to permit their children 
to stay. Some of the finest boys in our 
schools have been obtained in this way. 

'' The natives of this part of Africa are a 
strong, well-formed race of people. Their 
appearance I think generally superior to 
that of the coloured race in our own country, 
although I do not know that you would 
think so were you to see them in their 
native dress, which consists only of a piece 
of cloth about the loins, and hats, when 
they can get them, although this is an ac- 
quisition which comparatively few are able 
to obtain. When I first arrived, before 
landing, several of the kroomen came on 
board dressed in this style. It was rather 
revoltiDg to me at first, but I soon became 



JAMBS MESSINGER. 213 

reconciled to iit, so that now a native Afri- 
can, dressed in his cloth, appears almost as 
genteel to me as a man at home dressed in 
a dandy suit. Some of the more respectable 
ones wear a large cloth which covers the 
greater part of the body; and many of the 
old men wear a red cap, and carry a long 
staff' or pole, which gives them quite a 
venerable, patriarchal appearance," 

This letter was left unfinished, and is, 
perhaps, the last production of his pen. 
Soon after he was called to his last sick- 
ness and death. His labours were early 
finished, and his heavenly rest obtained. 



214 MEMOIR OF 



CHAPTER XL 

HIS SICKNESS AND DEATH. 

After the letters which we have now 
given, we have nothing further from his 
own pen. We have followed him now 
from his childhood to the close of his hum- 
ble but faithful career. The gracious Sa- 
viour, who has led him all his life long with 
the most tender providence and grace, does 
not forsake him in his closing trials. The first 
few weeks of his residence in Africa seemed 
to furnish the most reasonable and encou- 
raging hope that the climate would prove 
adapted to his constitution, and his life 
might be long spared to labour in this inte- 
resting missionary field. The extracts from 
his journal and letters which we have already 
given are adapted to show how well suited 
he was to the work before him and how 
likely to be a permanent and a precious bless- 
ing there. But such was not the will of 
God concerning him. He had been bought 



o B a 
2. o 



3t 



2 W 
B ^ 







JAMES MESSINGEE. 215 

witli a price, and his body and his spirit 
were not oiir's, but the Lord's, who had the 
right to do what he would with his own. 
Much as we should have delighted in his 
long and useful life on earth, Jesus more 
desired him in some other field and scene 
in his great dominion, not clearly made 
known to us. He was to depart and be 
with Christ, which is far better. He had 
chosen the good part which shall never be 
taken away from him. The following letter 
from the Rev. Dr. Savage to the Foreign 
Committee gave the history of his last 
earthly hours and his happy departure : — 

"FisHTOWN, April 1, 1846. 

^'By my last dates you were informed of 
our gratification at the unexpected arrival 
of the Rev. E. J. P. Messinger. The me- 
lancholy duty now devolves upon me of 
informing you of his sickness and death. 

" On the 28th of January he came to Fish- 
town, at the desire of the mission, to be under 
my charge while passing through the first 
stages of his acclimation. Here he remained 
more than seven weeks, during which time 
he expressed himself daily as well, with the 



216 MEMOIR OF 

occasional exception of an afiection of the 
back, to which he had been subjected seve- 
ral years, and from which he suffered more 
or less pain and inconvenience. Having 
not yet seen all the members of our mission, 
and desiring very much to be present at our 
regular meeting, to be held at Cavalla on 
the 26th of March, he left Pishtown on the 
morning of the 20th for Mount Yaughan, 
designing to preach the funeral sermon, on 
Sunday, of a colonist communicant, and 
on the Wednesday following proceed to 
Cavalla. He rode on horseback from this 
to Eocktown, a distance of about six miles, 
which place he desired to visit, ^Vith a view 
to a decision either for or against it as his 
future field of labour; thence he went in 
my boat by sea to Cape Palmas, distant in 
a straight line about four miles. He was 
made .very sick by the motion of the boat, 
and (which I regretted to hear) declined the 
use of the awning and his umbrella. On 
arriving at Cape Palmas, he complained 
much of his back, and on that account pre- 
ferred walking, to riding, most of the way 
to Mount Vaughan. Soon after he left us, 
a note arrived from Mr. Payne, informing 



JAMES MESSINGEK. 217 

me that Mrs. Perkins was ill at Eockbookali. 
Thinking that Dr. Perkins might be en- 
feebled by his close attendance on Mrs. 
Patch during her last sickness, and there- 
fore need ray assistance, I started early next 
morning (Saturday) in my boat for Cavalla, 
whence I proceeded by land immediately to 
Rockbookah, where I arrived just after dark 
the same day. I was greatly relieved to 
find Mrs. Perldns in a favourable state, 
though not out of danger, and Dr. Perkins 
very well. "While at family prayers the 
next morning, a man arrived at Mount 
Vaughan with a note stating that Mr. Mes- 
singer 'was attacked with fever.' Feeling 
it my duty to go at once, I started imme- 
diately after breakfast, and, travelling the 
whole day in a clear, hot sun, I reached the 
bedside of our sick brother at dark, having 
spent the Lord's day as I had never done 
before on land in Africa. I found nothing 
alarming in his case ; and he continued in 
about the same state for the following three 
days, no material change occurring in his 
symptoms. Great torpor of the system ex- 
isted from the outset, which in all such cases 
is decidedly unfavourable. Medicines would 

19 



218 MEMOIR OF 

not produce their specific effect. On the 
seventh day from his attack, a crisis occurred, 
when the powers of hfe began to fail. Gra- 
dually declining, he expired on the ninth 
day. 

"Mr. Messinger's case is an anomalous 
one in my experience. It was very clearly 
a complicated one. What the precise nature 
of his dorsal affection was primarily, I am 
not prepared to say. His physician in Phila- 
delphia pronounced it to be lumbago, and 
therefore it would be no obstacle in his 
coming to Africa. 

" In case it were simply lumbago, I should 
have given the same opinion. On his ar- 
rival at Mount Vaughan, he complained 
very much of his back, and made known to 
Mrs. Appleby that, the night before leaving 
Fishtown, he had slept with his window 
open ; and, a tornado arising, the wind blew 
directly and strongly upon him the whole 
night. He seemed to think that, whatever 
this dorsal affection might be, it would be 
the main cause of his death, and spoke 
several times during his sickness of suffer- 
ing acutely from it. Whether it was pri- 
marily lumbago or not; I cannot say; but one 



JAMES MESSINGER. 219 

thing was evident, — that the symptoms then 
existing indicated an acute aiFection within 
the spinal canal — 1 should say 'spinal me- 
ningitis,' or inflammation in the membranes 
investing the spinal cord. 

"Great restlessness and irritation were at- 
tendant throughout, but his mind was clear 
and active until within the last eighteen or 
twenty hours, when he became delirious, and 
expired, as we thought, in that condition. 

" It now remains for me to speak of his 
state of mind under sickness and in view 
of death. And here I would remark that 
from the first he manifested a calmness and 
patience under suffering that seemed to all 
beautifully illustrative of his piety. His 
conversation and w^hole demeanour, in view 
of the approach of death, were more like 
those of a man about entering upon a mo- 
mentous journey rather than his departure 
for the other world. The following is the 
substance of my notes, made as the facts 
transpired : — 

" March 26, Thursday, — A change for the 
worse has been perceived since two p. m. ; 
his pulse, from that time, has indicated ex- 
treme danger and approaching dissolution. 



220 MEMOIR OF 

At lialf-past five p. m., I sat down by his 
side with a heavy heart, (for now only had 
my hopes begun to fail,) and asked if his 
spiritual comfort was aflected by his illness. 
He replied that his feelings in this respect 
were peculiarly pleasant, though he did not 
know but that it was owing, in some mea- 
sure, to the excitement of medicine. He 
remarked that he had been in a cold, life- 
less state, owing, probably, to a protracted, 
unpleasant voyage, which sometimes almost 
led him to doubt whether he had any in- 
terest in Christ. I then repeated, ^Look 
unto me, and be ye saved.' He immediately 
replied, ' Oh yes, I have often thought upon 
that text, and it has brought comfort to my 
soul. I think I can say that if I am taken 
away I shall be with Christ. I rely only 
upon him. He is my support.' This he said 
with marked fervour, and then added, ' but 
I su]3pose I ought not to talk much.' 

"Friday morning^ half-past four, — He re- 
marked that he felt a sinking internally 
that told him that he could not rally, and 
asked my opinion of his state and prospects. 
I replied that great uncertainty attended 
the diseases of this country; that I had 



JAMES MESSINGER. 221 

seen persons apparently sicker than he was 
recover, but still that I had felt for two 
days past that there was increasing danger 
in his case — an obstinacy of symptoms ex- 
isting for which I could not account, and 
medicines failing to produce their usual 
effect. He seemed to study my counte- 
nance as I spoke, and replied, apparently 
with great composure, ' Well, I have no desire 
on the subject, but leave it in God's hands to live 
or die. I thought that in coming to Africa I was 
in the path of duty, and that I could be happy 
in no other field of labour. My mind is still 
unchanged, and shoidd I now be taken away^ 
can see no reason for regretting that I came. 
My feelings in view of death are those of happi- 
ness, and the only regret I can have is the dis- 
couraging effect it may have on others.' I then 
remarked, that as the result could not be 
foreseen, if he had any requests to leave in 
the event of death, he would do well to do 
it at an early period. He then desired to 
be affectionately remembered to certain 
individuals, giving their names and resi- 
dence ; then to the children of the Sabbath- 
school of the Church of the Epiphany in 
Philadelphia, to the ladies of the Sewing 

19^^ 



222 MEMOIR OF 

Society of the same church, and to the 
members of the Foreign Committee. To 
the children of the Sunday-school of the 
Epiphany he sent an especial message : — 
'Tell them all to prepare to meet me in 
heaven ; some I hope to meet, but tell them 
I want to meet them all in that happy 
place.' In a conversation that subsequently 
took place, I said, ' From your remark that 
the only regret you can have, in the case of 
your death, is the discouraging effect it may 
exert upon others, I infer that it is your 
opinion the mission should still be energeti- 
cally sustained.' 'Oh, yes,' was the quick 
reply, and there was a fervour in the lan- 
guage of the dying man that gave to the 
sentiment in my mind the solemnity and 
importance of eternity. I confess that when 
one and another of our number falls or 
withdraws, there is a possibility, if not 
probability, that our labours will result in 
failure ; only, however, ' through its discoii- 
raging effect upon others.' Conceive, then, if 
you can, what encouragement and strength 
such declarations bring home to our hearts. 
'Oh, yes,' he continued; 'a great work has 
already been done, and a greater still is to 



JAMES MESSINGER. 223 

be done, I have looked upon it as by far the 
most interesting mission before the church, 
and now second only to China. Yes, it 
ought to he sustained; but where are the men 
to come from V 'From God,' was my only 
reply. 'Yes, from God. The Lord,' con- 
tinued he, 'will raise them up when it is 
time to do it.' 

''At another time, as I administered some 
sangaree, he remarked, ' Oh, what will all 
these drinks be when I come to taste the 
pure water of life !' 

" On Friday afternoon he entertained the 
idea that he should rally and recover, but 
before night he gave up all such hope. At 
half-past six he exclaimed, ' Oh for grace for 
a dying hour !' I then repeated some texts, 
such as, 'Ask, and ye shall receive,' 'Look 
unto me and be ye saved,' 'As thy day is, so 
shall thy strength be,' &c. He replied, 
' Tell the children of your school that that is 
my message to them : — " Look unto me, and 
be ye saved." I have told them that again 
and again, and now I find it my only sup- 
port. Give my love to Mrs. Savage, and 
tell her to persevere in faith and her reward 
will come hereafter.' I continued to repeat 



224 MEMOIR OF 

such passages from God's word as I thought 
appropriate, to which he added, with fer- 
vour, 'And casting all thy care upon the 
Lord, for he careth for thee/ 

"At another time, with his arms ex- 
tended upon the bed, and looking upward, 
he said, 'Ah ! here I lie — a poor, weak, un- 
profitable servant, weak in body and mind !' 
I asked, ' Can you not lean upon the arm of 
the Lord — an everlasting arm now extended 
for you?' He quickly answered, 'Oh, yes, 
I do lean upon it;' and then, after a short 
pause, 'I cast all my care upon the Lord, 
for he careth for me.' Again, 'Oh, it is a 
comforting thought that I shall leave all 
my sins behind !' 

"I read at intervals selected passages from 
the eighth chapter of Romans. "When I 
came to the 38th and 39th verses— ' For I 
am persuaded that neither life nor death,' 
&c. ' shall be able to separate us from the 
love of God which is in Christ Jesus our 
Lord,' — he responded, fervently and impres- 
sively, 'Amen.' After some moments of 
apparent meditation and prayer, he turned 
to me with a sweet expression of coun- 
tenance, and said, ' Read to me some more 



JAMES MESSINGER. 225 

of the precious promises/ I tlien read 
selections from the 14th chapter of St. John, 
and the 27th Psalm, in which he seemed to 
take delight. 

'^Again, after repeating the 25th and 26th 
verses of the 11th chapter of St. John's 
gospel — ^I am the resurrection and the 
life ; he that believeth in me, though he 
were dead, yet shall he live, and whosoever 
liveth and believeth in me shall never die,' — 
I said, 'JBelievest thou this T He replied, with 
great solemnity, ^ I believe ; Lord, help thou 
my unbelief! At another time he said, 'I 
know that Jesus Christ died for me, and on 
this I rely.' 

'' Throughout Friday he was very free in 
conversation, and highly edifying. To Mrs. 
Appleby, who showed in many ways the 
kindness and unwearied sympathy of a 
Christian woman, as she endeavoured to re- 
strain him from too much talking, he said, 
'I feel that I must talk; my time is short, 
and I must spend it for Christ; we ought to 
do all we can to glorify him who has done 
so much for us.' Much more was said ; but 
surely this was enough for all who knew him, 
to show that he died glorying in the cross. 



226 MEMOIR OF 

" I can bear full testimony to his Chris- 
tian character while he was a member of. 
my family. In all his intercourse with us 
and the native population around us, he 
shed the sweet fragrance of a life wholly 
given to God. All in our household and 
our schools loved him; and I do not believe 
there is an eye among us that has not paid 
its sincere tribute to his cherished memory. 
Sobs were heard, and tears flowed, while, 
with the assembled schools on the morning 
after his burial, (Sunday,) I delivered his 
dying message : — 'Look unto me, and be ye 
saved. I have told them this again and 
again ; and noio I find it my support. ' It was 
a truly impressive occasion. But one short 
week before, and he whose dying words I 
was then delivering stood in that very place, 
apparently in perfect health, entreating that 
very auditory to flee to Christ and be saved. 
His past exhortations and instructions came 
up to the mind with effect; and I cannot 
doubt that the blessing of God will follow 
his brief labours among us. The impression 
he made upon the native population around 
us may, in some degree, be apprehended 
from the fact that, on my return from Mount 



JAMES MESSINGER. 227 

"Vaughan, the old chief and his most influ- 
ential head men waited upon me, and ex- 
pressed ^ their sympathy at the loss of my 
brother ;' and others of subordinate rank did 
the same, all, as one, saying, 'Ah ! that was 
a good man.' If Mr. Messinger gained 
their good opinion, it was done by his 
Christian demeanour and intercourse, and 
not in the uncertain, usual, and almost 
universal way — by presents ; for this system, 
as such, I am happy to say, he disapproved. 
Such was his manner and intercourse with 
them that they could but accord to his 
memory the tribute so justly due: — 'he 
was a good man;' and, I would add, had he 
lived, he would have, no doubt, proved an 
eminently useful man. Such are the men 
we need, — not only good men^ but men of such 
habits, tact, and other qualifications, that 
will render them eminently useful. It is not • 
every good man that will prove so. It 
follows that our loss in the death of Mr. 
Messinger is great. But, afflictive and dark 
as the dispensation is, we 'sorrow not as 
those without hope — hope in respect to the 
departed, for we feel assured that our great 
loss is his greater gain ; and hope in respect 



228 MEMOIR OF 

to the mission, its continuance, proper sup- 
port, and contemplated results. In all these . 
respects, our hopes are strengthened in the 
death of our departed brother. If to come 
and give his testimony in favour of the great 
principles of the gospel, thereby confirming 
v^hat we have so often preached before to 
the heathen, and encouraging us to believe 
on, hope on, and labour on, assuring us 
^ that a great work has been done, and a greater 
still is to be done,' — sealing his sincerity and 
the truth of his words by his death, uttering 
all, as he stood upon the confines of the two 
worlds, eternity opening before him, — if this be 
all that it was designed in the councils of 
the triune God that he should do in coming 
to us, surely he came not in vain. 

" The full influence of his coming and dying 
upon the cause of Christ will be known only 
in the courts of heaven ; and here we would 
bow in reverence and solemn submission, 
and saj^, 'Thy will, God, be done!' But 
what it ought to have is better known to the 
committee and the church ; and here can we 
not hang upon the promise that 'all things 
shall work together for good to them that 
are good' ? — a promise not without meaning. 



JAMES MESSINGER. 229 

This we do know, — in his Ufe he spake to the 
Lord and his church in a voice that was heard^ 
^Here am I; send me,' He was sent. And, 
in his death, was it not the same voice, strong 
in faith, echoing the last words of the la- 
mented Minor? — words now chiselled upon 
his tomb, and words — may God grant they 
may be written in fire upon ten thousand 
hearts !— 'Let the mission go forward ; let it 
go forward more than ever/ 

" It remains to be seen whether the lament- 
ed Messinger had one reason, in fact, to regret, 
in his death, that he came to Africa. Will 
his early death have a discouraging effect 
upon others looking forward to this field of 
labour? Is it a legitimate field for mission- 
ary effort? Where is the spot on the wide 
globe, having a body with an immortal 
spirit, that is not? Where in God's word 
can be found an exception to the last com- 
mand of the ascended Saviour, ' Go ye into 
all the world, and preach the gospel to every 
creature' ? Africa — ^heathen, degraded, brutal 
Africa, though her climate is pestiferous, 
and, in its effects, will prove to be, sooner 
or later, prejudicial to human life — is not an 
exception. That it is an unhealthy climate 

20 



230 MEMOIR OF 

no one will deny. From this unhealthiness 
no class or colour finds an immunity — not 
even the adult native himself. Though 
there is a difference in degrees, all bear testi- 
mony^ to the truth of the assertion that, as 
all breathe the same atmosphere, all are 
more or less liable to its deleterious in- 
fluences, — missionary, colonist, and native. 
The Avorst was foreseen by the great head 
of the church when that command was 
given to which no exception can be found. 
And, had he excluded the millions of Africa^ 
where would have been the freeness of his 
grace, the glory of his salvation ? No ; Africa 
is to be redeemed. But 'how shall they 
believe in him of whom they have not 
heard?' and 'how shall they hear without 
a preacher?' — and 'how shall they preach, 
except they be sent?' " 

To this painfully-interesting letter from 
Dr. Savage I may add the following beau- 
tiful remarks from the sister of Mr. Mes- 
singer, to whom I am indebted for much aid 
in the preparation of this memoir of a bro- 
ther she so much loved : — 

" Thus closed his toil on earth, — thus com- 
menced his reward in heaven. We love to 



JAMES MESSINGER. 231 

recall liis gentle, unassuming manner, his 
meek and quiet spirit, his active and beau- 
tiful piety, while tabernacled with us here 
below ; nor do we check tears that start un- 
bidden, for 'Jesus wept' at the tomb of 
Lazarus, and surely he will permit his frail 
and feeble children to weep when called to 
consign kindred dust to dust. Still in the 
midst of tears we would look up to our 
Father, and say, with glad submission, 'Not 
my will, but thine, be done.' 

" To speak further of his virtues would be 
superfluous — perhaps in me unbecoming. 
He lives in the hearts of his friends, and his 
name is enrolled among the blood-bought 
company who are singing praise to the Lamb, 
and whither we are fast tending to unite our 
voices in their glorious, exalted strains. 

" To the friends of our departed brother, 
the writer tenders her warmest thanks for 
their kindness to the cherished one whose 
death made the first breach in the happy 
circle of brothers and sisters to which she 
belongs ; and she feels assured that the God 
of the widow, the God of the fatherless, the 
God of the church, and the God of mis- 
sions, will give them an abundant reward. 



232 MEMOIR OF 

And can it be^ beloved, that thou art number'd with the dead? 
That a distant soil — a lowly sod — is pillowing thy head ? 
The music of thy gentle voice, oh who could hear unmoved? 
And now that voice is hushed in death, — my brother — my 
beloved. 

Oh, could I but have watched by thee, — have heard thy parting 

breath, — 
Methinks I could have yielded thee e'en cheerful up to death ; 
Yet why should I complain, — though e'en to strangers it was 

given 
To lay thy body in the tomb ? — Farewell ! we meet in heaven !" 

We subjoin the following testimonials to 
the worth of the departed from those who 
knew and loved him in life, and who 
"sorrow with rejoicing" over his early 
tomb : — 

(From the Episcopal Recorder.) 

" It is, to our limited capacities and short- 
sighted judgments, one of the darkest mys- 
teries of Providence that those who are, in 
the view of their fellow-men, most emi- 
nently qualified to do good, — those who 
are, by their example, ' burning and shining 
lights,' — should so frequently be called away 
just in the midst, or, indeed, at the commence- 
ment, of their bright career ! An instance of 
this has lately occurred (as is generally 
known to the readers of the Recorder) in 



JAMES MESSINGER.. 233 

the sudden and unexpected death of the 
late Rev. E. J. P. Messinger, one of the mis- 
sionaries of our church to Africa. All who 
have, for the last ten years, been in any 
measure connected with him, will be will- 
ing, I am sure, to unite with the writer of 
this brief sketch in beariDg testimony to 
the worth and excellency of his Christian 
character and his Christian usefulness, par- 
ticularly in that congregation where some 
who read these lines had the privilege of 
being associated with him. As the teacher 
of the infant class there, ' he was most ear- 
nest and engaged, and, I may add, successful 
too, in training the lambs of the flock to fol- 
low the footsteps of their divine Shepherd. 
Many persons think that little children can- 
not be made to comprehend the doctrinal 
truths of the Scriptures. This was not the 
opinion of the subject of this sketch. In 
presenting his periodical report to his pas- 
tor, a few years since, (when engaged in 
teaching,) he remarked, ^ I can hardly think 
there are any^ unless perhaps some of the very 
little ones^ who do not understand that they are 
sinners^ and need a change of hearty — that there 
is no way to be saved but through the blood of 

20* 



234 MEMOIR OP 

ChrisC Again: 'It is my constant endeavour 
to hold up these truths to their minds.' 

"How these precious doctrines were ex- 
emplified in his daily walk, all who knew 
him will testify. But why dwell on the 
past ? He has gone ! He is not ! ' God 
has taken him!' How precious, then, in 
this connection, is the doctrine of the ^ Com- 
munion of Saints'! Time was, w^hen many 
of us were privileged to kneel at a common 
table, and partake of the sacramental privi- 
leges of God's house, with this servant of the 
Lord. Then he was, as we are now, but 
in the vestibule of this spiritual building ; 
now he has entered into that rest which 
God has prepared for them that love him. 
Since that period many changes have taken 
place. The beloved pastor, who then broke 
to us the bread of life, and around whom 
our hearts clung with fond affection, has, in 
the providence of God, been removed to 
another field. Several of our teachers have 
gone to their final rest; one has entered the 
sacred ministrj^; but among them all there 
is not one to be found, living or dead, who 
possessed a purer and more self-denying 



JAMES MESSINGER. 235 

spirit than that which animated the breast 
of Erasmus J. P. Messinger. 

''A FELLOW-LABOURER." 

"We insert," (continues the same paper,) 
*' with much pleasure, the following tribute 
to Mr. Messinger' s character, from one who 
is not accustomed to apply ' flattering titles' 
either to the living or dead : — 

"Having known him while at the Theo- 
logical Seminary of Virginia, I can speak 
with confidence respecting him, and know 
that I shall not be accused of speaking too 
highly by those who there and elsewhere 
remember him as well. It is rare that we 
meet with one of such uniform and deep 
piety. A transitory zeal and impulsive love 
we often see ; but such was not his charac- 
ter. He was most even and consistent in 
his temper and disposition. I have rarely 
known a person of such uniform cheerful- 
ness. He seemed always the same. He 
loved the retirement of his room, and yet 
was no misanthrope or ascetic. He mingled 
but little with the brethren, unless when en- 
gaged in his work of doing good ; yet he 
always met them with a cheerful, smiling 



236 MEMOIR OF 

countenance. The poor in the vicinity of 
the seminary will long remember his kindly 
visits to their houses. For some time, in 
company with another brother student, now 
a missionary in China, he visited the Alms- 
house in Alexandria every Sunday after- 
noon, to impart spiritual instruction to the 
inmates. I have had the pleasure of joining 
with him in some of these visits, and have 
felt myself better from the intercourse. He 
would go from room to room, visit the sick 
and infirm, conversing and praying with 
them, and lighting up their countenances 
with the reflection of his own Christian 
cheerfulness. He was most happy in his 
addresses to the young. For many years 
he laboured in the Sunday-school of the 
Epiphany in Philadelphia, where his ser- 
vices will long be remembered ; and while 
at the seminary he was called upon to ad- 
dress the Sunday-schools in the neighbour- 
ing towns. There was something in his 
manner that alwaj^s engaged the attention 
of the scholars. A parent, whose children 
attended a school which Mr. Messinger ad- 
dressed, once remarked to me that his 
children would come home and repeat 



JAMES MESSINOER. 237 

something which he had said, when they 
would rarely remember any thing from other 
speakers in the school. 

"He was noted for his scrupulous punctu- 
ality in the performance of every duty, and 
for his tenderness of conscience. He had 
desired to enter on the missionary w^ork be- 
fore he completed his studies, but was pre- 
vented by the advice of his friends. 

"From such a character, thus endowed 
with every thing that seemed to promise 
usefulness, we had expected great things. 
When such a one is taken away, so faithful, 
so heartily devoted to his Master's work, and 
others left, mere cumberers of the ground, 
we are led to wonder at the dispensations of 
Providence. Truly, 

God works in a mysterious way 
His counsels to perform. 

But faith should point us to that other 
world where all these things will be known. 
Let us be consoled with the promise of the 
Saviour : — ' What I do thou knowest not now, 
but thou shalt know hereafter.' God is able 
to dispense with our poor services and carry 
on the work without us, or to do much more 



238 MEMOIR OF 

with our death than we think to do with 
our lives. Let us not murmur, or charge 
Him foolishly, but bow in the deepest hu- 
mility at the dispensations of Providence, 
and use them all as incentives to greater 
zeal and devotion, knowing that we all have 
but a short time to work, — that soon all that 
we can do will be finished, and we shall be 
at rest." 

In the Pastoral Eeport of the Church of 
the Epiphany for 1847, particular reference 
is made to Mr. Messinger's death and cha- 
racter. After alluding to the painful facts 
in his history as already given, the report 
says : — 

"It is common to hear among the poor 
of this congregation this remark, that they 
' loved the ground on which he trod.' There 
are communicants in our church v/ho trace 
their first religious impressions to the faith- 
ful and affectionate visits of the beloved 
teacher of their little ones. 

''By permission of the vestry, it is pro- 
posed to erect a suitable monument"^ to the 

* In February, 1856, the teachers of the Sunday-school of the 
Church of the Epiphany forwarded a suitable monument to Africa 
to designate the resting-place of Mr. Messinger's remains. 



JAMES MESSINGER. 239 

deceased within the church. We know not 
that a better lesson can be derived from the 
life and death of our former beloved col- 
league than to call to mind his eager use of 
every opportunity of usefulness which offered 
itself while in a course of preparation as a 
missionary to a heathen land. His life 
would have been in a measure fruitless, had 
he spent it in a state of idle hope or reverie 
until he reached that distant shore. But, 
by doing 'with his might what his hands 
found to do,' he, 'being dead, j-et speaketh.' 
Let us, fellow-teachers, look at this example 
of our beloved forerunner into the presence 
and rest of Christ, and 'go and do like- 
wise.' " 

The following lines were received from 
the sister of Mr. Messinger, before re- 
ferred to : — 

Brother, thou art gone to rest; 

We will not weep for thee, 
For thou art now where oft on earth 

Thy spirit long'd to be. 

Brother, thou art gone to rest; 

Thine is an early tomb; 
But Jesus summoned thee away, 

Thy Saviour called thee home. 



240 MEMOIR OF MESSINGER. 

Brother, thou art gone to rest; 

Thy toils and cares are o'er; 
And sorrow, sin, and suffering, now 

Shall ne'er distress thee more. 

Brother, thou art gone to rest ; 

Thy sins are all forgiven ; 
And saints in light have welcom'd thee 

To share the joys of heaven. 

Brother, thou art gone to rest ; 

And this shall be our prayer, 
That when we reach our journey's end 

Thy glory we may share. 

Thus this excellent man departed, on the 
28th of March, 1846, at the age of thirty- 
four years and nine months. It is a pleasure 
to remember his whole course of Christian 
fidelity and excellence. It has been a plea- 
sure, amid the pressure of multiplied cares 
and labours, to finish this record of his 
humble, holy life, and to give to others the 
opportunity to know how usefully and hap- 
pily he fulfilled his work and honoured the 
name and the cause of his glorious Master 
and Lord. 

THE END. 



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